FINAL SCORE: Vermont 2, NJIT 1
NEWARK, N.J. – The UVM women's soccer team scored twice in the first half and held off NJIT for a 2-1 conference road win on Thursday afternoon. The victory helps the Cats improve to 1-2-0 on the year and in league play. The Highlanders drop to 2-3-1 overall and 0-2-1 in the conference standings.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts took advantage of a corner kick and struck first in the 19th minute. Alexa Mihale booted a left-footed feed towards the far post but the ball was deflected back to the edge of the six-yard box by NJIT defenders. Alyssa Oviedo gathered the loose ball and threaded the needle with a low shot through the defense and into the bottom right corner of the net.
• UVM added an insurance goal in the 34th minute with Fiona Doherty's first-career goal. Abbey Knobel dribbled up the right side, then stopped on the corner of the 18-yard box, turned and lofted a cross towards the penalty area. Doherty leaped and headed a ball into the right side of the net.
• NJIT cut the margin in half with a penalty kick in the 66th minute. Nicole Loehle fired a line drive into the right side of the net and snuck it past a diving Lydia Kessel.
• The Highlanders had a solid chance to tie the game in the 86th minute. Lauren Chamberlain was wide open in the middle of the box from eight yards away but her potential equalizer bounced off the woodwork. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• In addition to Doherty, Knobel's assist was her first collegiate point.
• Kessel recorded four saves and earned her third-career win.
• Thursday was the first ever meeting between the two programs.
• When the Cats Win, the Community Wins. With each Catamount win, Vermont Mutual Insurance donates $100 to the Vermont Foodbank. For 2020 they donated $15,000 to Spectrum Youth and Family Services. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828. 

WHO'S NEXT
Vermont returns to Burlington to host Binghamton on Thursday (April 1) at 12 p.m. The game is Military Appreciation Day presented by Milton CAT. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+ and the ESPN app with a paid subscription.