WOMEN'S SOCCER NOTEBOOK
Vermont continues America East action on Thursday at 7 p.m. as UMBC visits Burlington and the Catamounts hit the road for the final time on Sunday at 4 p.m. in Albany. Tickets are available for the UMBC game at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or at the Gutterson Box Office on gameday. Free live video is available in HD via AmericaEast.TV at the links below.
RELATED LINKS
UMBC: Video
Albany: Video | Live Stats
ABOUT VERMONT
Vermont likes to turn up the tempo as the game progresses. The Catamounts have attempted 94 of the team's 173 total shots in the second half, while only attempting 69 shots in the opening 45 minutes. Sarah Martin leads America East with 57 shot attempts and ranks second with 4.38 attempts per game. UVM has played better on its home turf with a 4-2-1 record and outscored opponents 6-1 during victories on Virtue Field. Nikki McFarland has crept into the top 10 in America East with 0.27 assists per game this season. Against conference opponents, Coco Speckmaier ranks as one of the top keepers. Speckmaier sits fourth with a 0.92 goals-against average and rated fifth with a .800 save percentage.
CAT FIGHT
The Catamounts had a strong showing at New Hampshire on Sunday by handing the Wildcats their first non-winning effort in league play. Caitie Green scored in the 79th minute to give Vermont a late lead but UNH came roaring back with the equalizer in the 89th minute. After surviving the first overtime session, the Catamounts were on the attack for most of the final period with six shot attempts but could not generate the game-winner as the contest ended with a 1-1 draw.
SCOUTING UMBC
The Retrievers have one of the highest scoring offenses in the league. UMBC has posted 56 points this season, which is tied for second with Stony Brook. When UMBC reaches the win column, the team averages 13.8 shots per game compared to only 8.5 shots when the team is on the losing end. UMBC has seen scoring come from numerous angles as nine different players have found the back of the net. Alex Quaranta leads the Retrievers with 12 points (4 goals, 4 assists) and Nikki Saad is right behind her with nine points (3 goals, 3 assists). First-year goalie Leah Roth is second in the league with 71 total saves and ranks 10th in America East with a pair of shutouts.
SCOUTING ALBANY
Sunday will mark the first time the two squads have met since Albany knocked Vermont out of the America East playoffs last season. The Great Danes have not lost in three straight games and only once at Casey Stadium this season. Albany is outscoring its opponents at home, 10-4, and only surrendered two goals during home victories. The Great Danes have four players with three goals this season. Alex Schneider leads the way with 10 points (3 goals, 4 assists). Meghan Cavanaugh and Caitlyn Paltsios follow with seven points apiece (3 goals, 1 assist). Goalie Chloe Borasky ranks second with two shutouts and sits fourth with 20 total saves against conference opponents.
SERIES HISTORY
The all-time series with UMBC is still young, but the Catamounts own a 6-4-1 record over the Retrievers. Vermont has won three straight games, including two exciting victories last season. UVM won the regular season matchup, 3-2, in double overtime behind Martin's game-winner. The two squads met in the playoffs and Vermont moved onto the America East semifinals after Dana Buckhorn recorded her first career goal in the 37th minute.
The series with Albany is one of the oldest in program history and dates back to 1978. The Catamounts opened the series with a seven-game winning streak and are in control with a 12-7-1 record. However, UVM has struggled of late with the Great Danes. Vermont is on a three-game skid with Albany as last year's eventual tournament champion snuck past the Catamounts in the semifinal round with a 2-1 overtime victory.
WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts wrap up the regular season with back-to-back home games next week. UVM hosts Hartford on Thursday, October 20 at 7 p.m. and Binghamton on Sunday, October 23 at 1 p.m. in the regular season finale. Tickets are available at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or at the Gutterson Box Office on gameday. Free live video is available in HD via AmericaEast.TV.
