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BURLINGTON, Vt. – Steph Guglielmo scored three times to lift Providence over Vermont 5-1 in the field hockey season opener for both teams Friday afternoon at Moulton Winder Field.
 
The Catamounts jumped out to a quick lead with a goal just under two minutes into the contest. After drawing a foul in the attacking circle, Molly Higgins took the penalty corner for UVM and sent a pass to the top of the circle, where Aria Robinson set up a stick-stop for freshman Taylor Gaines. Gaines fired it past Providence goalie Deidra Clymer to put the Catamounts on top, 1-0. The goal was the first of Gaines' UVM career.
 
Providence evened the score at 1-1 just over 10 minutes later on Daniella Bernasconi's only score of the contest. Emma Mackie sent a long pass ahead to Bernasconi, and the senior was able to flick it past the goalkeeper for the Friars' first tally.
 
Guglielmo netted the final goal of the first half to give Providence its first lead of the game, 2-1. Bernasconi sent a pass across the circle and Guglielmo one-timed it into the back of the net for her first goal of the contest.
 
The Friars were able to extend their lead to 3-1 on Guglielmo's goal 12 minutes into the second half. The senior corralled a loose rebound and found the back of the net for her second score of the game.
 
Providence added two insurance goals late in the contest to widen its lead to 5-1 and secure its first victory of the season.
 
Sophomore goalie Emily Snowden made 16 saves in the contest, while Deidra Clymer made one to earn the win.
 
The Catamounts return to action this Sunday (Aug. 31) for a home game against Lock Haven at 1 p.m. Live video of the contest in HD will be available for free via CatamounTV.com.
 
NOTES: First-year head coach Kate Pfeifer along with assistants Kyle Lyons and Melyssa Woods made their coaching debuts with Vermont … Snowden's 16 saves was the second-highest single-game save total of her career … Robinson and Higgins each collected their second career assists … 10 different Catamounts made their program debuts with Vermont in the contest.