FINAL SCORE: No. 22 Massachusetts 2, Vermont 1
AMHERST, Mass. – Vermont field hockey battled back from an early deficit but Georgie McTear responded with what ended as the game-winning goal for No. 22 Massachusetts in a 2-1 decision on Sunday at the Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex. Each of the three combined goals in the match came in the first half and ultimately resulted from penalty corners.
 
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UVM drops to an even 1-1 with the setback, while the Minutewomen are now 2-0.
 
In the cage Lena Benwood made three saves for the Catamounts, while her counterpart Emily Hazard tallied six stops.
 
UMass got on the board in the second minute following an insert from Lucy Cooper. Melanie Kreusch took an initial shot that was deflected home by Sarah Hawkshaw, who was camped at the right post. The sequence ended as her third tally of the campaign.
 
Soon after UVM tied the score at one-apiece by way of Lauren Tucker. With Olivia Hurd acting as the stick stop and Kyra Lee handling the insert, Tucker put a shot into the right corner of the cage. That goal was Tucker's first of 2017 and came in the 15th minute.
 
McTear then put the Minutewomen ahead for good in the 21st minute, with assists going to Mirra Stillman and Shauna Rankin-Byrne. McTear fired over the pads of Benwood and off the backboard for her second goal of the weekend.
 
In the second half both teams had offensive opportunities but neither goalkeeper would budge. Down the stretch the Green and Gold worked tirelessly for the equalizer, with one chance coming in the 63rd minute. Carla Godsman corralled the ball and ripped from near the top of the circle but her attempt was blocked.
 
The Catamounts wrap up their three-game road swing next weekend against Central Michigan (Sept. 1) and Michigan State (Sept. 3). Both games will be played in East Lansing, Michigan at Michigan State.