FINAL SCORE: Vermont 19, Merrimack 11
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Vermont women's lacrosse team started off the 2020 campaign with a 19-11 win at Merrimack on Saturday afternoon after scoring 12 unanswered goals in a 23-minute stretch. The Catamounts have won their season opener for the second straight year.  
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"A good first win against a tough and scrappy Merrimack team," head coach Sarah Dalton Graddock said. " We will enjoy this and get back to work this week to get better as we prepare for our next Colgate."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Warriors controlled the early parts of the first half. The two foes traded goals in the opening minutes, but Merrimack rattled off fourth straight goals and took a 5-1 lead at the 16:49 mark.
• The Catamounts responded in a big way with eight unanswered goals to close out the half and took a 9-5 lead into the break. The eight-goal surge was highlighted by Maris Large's four points (2 goals, 2 assists) and two goals from Taylor Mullen.
• UVM carried its momentum into the second half with four more goals before Merrimack ended the run with 19 minutes left to play.
• Merrimack chipped away at the deficit and drew within 16-11 with five and a half minutes remaining on the clock, the Green and Gold netted the final three goals of the game to seal the victory.

GAME NOTES

• The Catamounts had four players record a hat trick as the offensive attack was guided by Large. The sophomore set a career high with six points on four goals and two assists. She also won four draw controls and picked up one ground ball.
• MacKenzie Bolt followed with five points on four goals and one assist. The junior won a pair of draw controls, caused a turnover, and scooped up one ground ball.
• Ava Vasile and Lily Trainor recorded hat tricks in their collegiate debuts. The duo combined to cause five turnovers and logged four ground balls.
• Sophomore goalie Sophie McLaughlin earned her first career win and made six saves.
• Saturday was the first ever meeting between the two programs.
• With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to a Vermont charity, bringing the 2020 total to 21 wins totaling $2,100. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support, protecting Vermonters since 1828.  

WHO'S NEXT
Vermont will host Colgate in its home opener on Saturday (Feb. 15). The opening draw is set for 11:30 a.m. at Virtue Field. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or at the Gutterson Fieldhouse Box Office on gameday. Free live video will be available at AmericaEast.TV.