STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Vermont field hockey team rode two first-half goals to its second straight victory, a 2-1 triumph over Wagner on Sunday afternoon.
 
With the win, UVM improves to 8-4 overall while Wagner has its four-game win streak halted and falls to 4-6.
 
RELATED LINKS
BOX SCORE | BOX SCORE (PDF)

COACH'S QUOTE

"I'm impressed by this team's ability to prepare for each match thus far - home or away, conference or non-conference - in a consistent way," head coach Kate Pfeifer said. "It's speaks to their maturity as athletes and the strong leadership we have within the group. We had to work through some adversity on the pitch today and we need to continue to work on managing ourselves and our connections with each other when those moments present. It was great to see our midfielders getting shots off - and a pair of really nice goals."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• For the second straight game it was the German first-year Alina Gerke that got the Cats on the board. After a nifty misdirection at the top of the circle on a penalty corner, Eileen King found Gerke on the right wing and once again the rookie made no mistake on a blast to the far post for her fifth of the season.
• The Catamounts doubled their lead with under two minutes to go in the first half. A Wagner turnover near midfield sprung Clodagh Ferry into the attacking zone and her backhand drive whistled past the Seahawk keeper for a 2-0 lead. It was her team-leading eighth of the year.
• UVM earned a penalty stroke ten minutes into the third quarter but Sophia Drees' attempt was saved by Daisy Ruhle (seven saves).
• Wagner got on the board with nine minutes to go but the UVM defense and goalkeeper Sierra Espeland (four saves) held the lead.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Gerke and Ferry have combined for 13 goals this season and the Cats are 3-0 in games in which they both score.
• Sierra Espeland lowered her goals against average to 1.68 this season giving up just one goal over the weekend.
• Vermont's eight wins match the most under Kate Pfeifer in a single season (2018).
• With today's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance will donate $100 to Vermont Foodbank as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Vermont Mutual Insurance has committed to donating $15,000 to Vermont Foodbank for the 2021 season. A special thanks to Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.

WHO'S NEXT
 
UVM returns home next weekend for a pair of league contests – the start of a four-game homestand – against west coast teams. The Cats host UC Davis on Friday at 2 p.m. and then Cal on Sunday at noon to wrap up the weekend.