Tweet #VCats | Follow @UVMfieldhky | Follow @UVMathletics
BURLINGTON, Vt. – UVM field hockey hits the road for a pair of contests this week, beginning with a matchup against conference opponent Fairfield on Friday (Oct. 24) at 3 p.m. On Sunday (Oct. 26), the Catamounts face Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts at 1:05 p.m.
 
RELATED LINKS
Game coverage vs. Fairfield: Live Video ($$) | Live Stats
Game coverage vs. Holy Cross: Live Video (free) | Live Stats
 
ABOUT VERMONT
The Catamounts have won two of their last four contests, collecting victories over UMass Lowell and Davidson in the last two weeks. They topped Davidson 2-1 on Sunday after rallying late and winning in overtime. Freshman Jackie Gillen scored with just 13.7 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into the extra frame, and junior Molly Higgins finished things off in overtime with a tally just over a minute into the period. The goal was Higgins' second game-winner of the season.
 
Rookie Taylor Gaines continues to lead the squad with five goals and 12 points. Senior captain Ashley McDonald ranks second among Catamounts with four goals, and junior Molly Higgins tops the team in assists (3), to go along with a pair of scores. On defense, back Lauren Hiltz is tied for the America East-lead with three defensive saves. Goalie Lena Benwood has started 10 games for the Catamounts and ranks second in the conference with 6.25 saves per contest.
 
Vermont owns an even 7-7 record in its history against Fairfield, as Friday's matchup will mark the 15^th all-time meeting between the two programs. Last season, the Stags defeated Vermont by a score of 6-2 in Burlington. With a win over the Stags on Friday, Vermont would clinch a spot in this year's America East Playoffs.
 
The Catamounts have faced off against Holy Cross 22 times in program history with the Crusaders holding a 15-7 advantage in the all-time series. In 2013, Holy Cross edged Vermont 2-1 at Moulton Winder Field.
 
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK | America East Release
Gillen was named the America East Rookie of the Week on Monday after tallying a pair of goals and one helper in two games this past week. The freshman registered her first career goal for UVM's lone tally against New Hampshire. She followed that up by scoring the game-tying goal late in the contest vs. Davidson, and setting up the game-winner in overtime. Gillen became the third Catamount to garner the conference's rookie of the week honor this season.
 
SCOUTING FAIRFIELD
The Stags currently sit at 5-11 overall and are tied with UMass Lowell for fifth place in the conference standings with a 0-3 mark. Fairfield enters Friday's matchup on a three-game losing streak after dropping decisions to Maine (3-1), Harvard (3-0) and Albany (2-1). Through 16 games, the Stags are averaging 1.88 goals per game and surrendering 2.19 to opponents.
 
Ann Burgoyne leads the team and ranks second in America East with 13 goals this season, including one game-winner. Felicitas Heinen has registered 17 points on six goals and five assists, while topping the squad with a pair of game-winners. Caitlin Bennett owns a 2.93 goals against average and .681 save percentage in 11 starts in goal.
 
SCOUTING HOLY CROSS
The Crusaders are 3-14 overall this season following seven consecutive losses, including defeats to Boston University (4-0) and Brown (1-0) this past week. Holy Cross is averaging under a goal per game (0.88), while allowing 2.47 to its opponents.
 
Maureen Connolly is the team's top scorer on the year with 12 points on six goals. Kaitlyn Murray and Katy Cronin each have three goals and one assist, and Michelle McNeil leads the Crusaders with four helpers. Kat Matchett has started 12 of the team's 17 games in goal, posting a 2.18 GAA and .681 save percentage.
 
NEXT UP
The Catamounts host #13 Albany on October 31 at 2 p.m. in their final regular season game of the year. Live video from Moulton Winder Field will be available for free and can be accessed by clicking here.