BURLINGTON, Vt. – Lena Benwood made a season-high 12 saves, including several highlight-reel stops, but second half goals by Kayla Sliz and Lindsey Nerbonne put New Hampshire ahead for the balance of the match as the Wildcats topped the Vermont field hockey team 3-1 on Sunday at Moulton Winder Field.
 
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UNH is now 3-7 on the season and 1-1 in America East play, while the Catamounts drop to 6-5 and 0-1 in league action.
 
Pressuring from the start of the match, the Wildcats jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the fourth minute. Gianna Bensaia directed a pass to Aggie Sutherland, setting up a one-time shot for Sutherland and her first goal of the season.
 
Vermont netted the game-tying goal in the 24th minute off of a well-executed penalty corner. Rachael Picchi provided the insert to Olivia Hurd, who opened the door for Lauren Tucker to tally her first goal of the year. The sophomore wound up from the top of the circle and found the corner of the cage on the shot.
 
The Wildcats regained the lead shortly after halftime when Sliz fired a shot home. Nerbonne sent Sliz a centering feed in the vicinity of the penalty spot, ultimately corralling the pass and notching her first collegiate tally.
 
UNH wrapped up the day's scoring in the 58th minute when Nerbonne took a lead pass along the far sideline, then dribbled into the circle and slipped the ball past Benwood, moving the score to 3-1.
 
The Catamounts are back on the pitch on Friday, Oct. 7 as the squad prepares for a 2 p.m. game at Albany.
 
UVM returns to Moulton Winder Field on Sunday, Oct. 9 to host Alumnae Day against UMass Lowell (1 p.m.). All field hockey alumnae are invited to return to campus for the game, followed by the team, family and alumnae tailgate. If there is enough interest, we would like to have an alumnae game as well. Please register here or contact the Victory Club office at Victory.Club@uvm.edu or (802) 656-0956.  We look forward to seeing Catamounts back on campus!