FINAL SCORE (2OT): Vermont 2, UMass Lowell 1
LOWELL, Mass. – Catamount junior Bailey Matthews scored her third game-winning goal of the season off a penalty corner after time expired in double overtime to give Vermont (5-6, 1-1 AE) a thrilling 2-1 America East conference win over UMass Lowell (5-6, 0-2 AE) Friday night at Wicked Blue Field. 
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"It was a battle tonight - we were tested defensively by a strong Lowell attack and our back line made plays when it mattered," said head coach Kate Pfeifer. "I thought we played smart and tough in overtime, which is what you want to see this time of year, and it was great to convert on two corners."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Vermont struck early on the night's first penalty corner in the 11th minute. Claudia Cotter input the ball and Pleun Haantjes struck the back of the net after an extra pair of Catamount passes. 
• UMass Lowell received a penalty corner in the final minute of both the first and second quarters and a total of three in the first half, but was unable to get a shot on goal against Sierra Espeland (10 saves). 
• UVM controlled play in the third quarter, but could not extend its lead. In three consecutive Catamount penalty corners beginning in the 40th minute, UML defender Sofie Knook recorded two defensive saves and Clodagh Ferry hit the post with a shot. 
• The Catamount defense fended off three consecutive River Hawk corners in the 50th minute behind a pair of saves from Espeland. 
• River Hawk graduate student Leah Cardarelli tied the game with 2:49 to play in regulation to send UVM and UML to overtime for the second straight season in Lowell. 
• Espeland tallied six saves in the two overtime periods to keep the score deadlocked. Vermont's offense was awarded a penalty corner with three seconds remaining and another after time expired. On the second corner, Matthews found the rebound in front of the net and scored her third game-winning goal of the season. 

GAME NOTES

• Haantjes picked up her first goal of the season and third of her career in the 11th minute. Ferry recorded her third assist and team-leading 11th point of the season on the early goal. 
• UMass Lowell held a 24-11 advantage in shots and an 11-6 advantage in shots on goal. The River Hawks also finished the game with a 10-8 edge in penalty corners. 
• Vermont claimed a double overtime victory for the second straight season in Lowell. The Cats now have three straight wins over the River Hawks dating back to the start of the 2018 season.
• With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Make-A-Wish Vermont, bringing this year's total to 69 wins and $6,900.  

UP NEXT
Vermont makes the short journey to Worcester, Massachusetts for a Sunday afternoon match at Holy Cross (5-6, 2-2 Patriot). The non-conference tilt is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at Hart Turf Field.