FINAL SCORE (2OT): Vermont 2, UMass Lowell 1
LOWELL, Mass. – Jackie Gillen scored the game-winner just 39 seconds into the double overtime period to lift Vermont (6-8, 3-2 AE) over UMass Lowell (7-7, 1-5 AE) Sunday at Wicked Blue turf in Lowell.
 
The Cats clinch a berth in the America East tournament for the second time in head coach Kate Pfeifer's tenure and for just the second time in the last decade. The 2018 America East Tournament is scheduled for Nov. 1-4 in Palo Alto, California, hosted by Stanford.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"I'm proud of the composure our players maintained today under pressure," Pfeifer said. "After letting up a goal with five minutes left in the first half, we generated multiple scoring chances. The team stayed dialed in for the next 50 minutes, defended well, and made two critical scoring plays when it counted. They earned every ounce of this win."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The River Hawks opened the scoring in the 29th minute after a back and forth start to the match. Jenna Berger moved the ball to Katie Lynes on a penalty corner, who fired a quick shot past the Catamount defense and Sierra Espeland.
• Vermont received its second penalty corner of the game in the opening minutes of the second half. Carla Godsman and Olivia Hurd assisted on Lauren Tucker's first goal of the season.
• UMass Lowell had a pair of penalty corners in the final minutes of regulation, but the Catamount defense held firm.
• Espeland made a fantastic charging poke check in the opening minutes of the first overtime period to preserve the game. The Catamount defense then fought off a pair of River Hawk penalty corners.
• Clodagh Ferry hit Gillen with a long pass just as the second overtime period began. The senior received the pass just outside the circle and moved past a River Hawk defender before rocketing her first career game-winning goal past Eva Berkhout for the win.
• With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate another $100 to the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington, bringing this year's total to 83 wins and $8,300.  

UP NEXT
The Cats wrap up the non-conference schedule at 4 p.m. Friday (Oct. 19) with the Colgate Raiders visiting Moulton Winder Field. UVM then plays a trio of America East foes to end the season: New Hampshire, Maine, and Albany.