FINAL SCORE: Vermont 17, Hartford 7
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Sophomore midfield Ava Vasile netted a career-high five goals as Vermont picked up a 17-7 conference win at Hartford in the season opener on Thursday afternoon. The Catamounts earned their fourth straight season-opening victory.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"It feels great to have our first game and get a win," said head coach Sarah Dalton Graddock. "I am proud of our team for their play over the course of 60 minutes. We will learn a lot from this game as we continue to grow on both sides of the field and value possession of the ball."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts fell behind early as the Hawks jumped out to a 4-1 lead. Jessica Harrison scored 1:21 into the game, then Shannon Tuozzo tallied a hat trick in a four-minute span.
• UVM responded in a big way by scoring seven goals to finish the half. Grace Giancola got the attack started with back-to-back scores near the 20-minute mark. Molly McDonough kept the streak going two minutes later and Meghan O'Connor found the back of the net for her first collegiate goal as the Cats grabbed a 5-4 lead with 17:48 left in the period.
• Vasile added a free-position goal for the Green and Gold nearly 30 seconds later but Hartford ended the run when Tiana Vazquez cut the deficit to 6-5 with 11:33 remaining in the first half.
• Maris Large and Dani Paterno helped the Catamounts regain momentum with goals late in the half as Vermont led 8-5 at the break.
• UVM did not let up in the final frame and outscored its conference foe 8-2. The offensive surge was highlighted by McKenzie Ballard's four goals and Vasile's second-half hat trick.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Vasile reached her five-goal performance on nine shots. She also registered four ground balls, won four draw controls, and caused two turnovers.
• Ballard matched Vasile with five points on four goals and one assist.
• Giancola added a third hat trick to the offensive attack, the first of her career, and she won a team-best five draw controls.  
• Jackie Shipp made four saves in goal to earn the victory.
• Vermont improved to 3-0 all-time against Hartford.
• 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 will return to Burlington to host Boston University in the home opener on Sunday (March 7). The opening draw is set for 3 p.m. and fans