AMHERST, Mass. – Sophomore Kate Hall kicked off the 2021 season with an early goal, but Vermont (0-1) fell 3-1 to UMass (2-1) in the season opener Sunday at Gladchuck Field Hockey Complex. The non-conference matchup was the Catamounts' first game in 490 days.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (pdf.)
 
COACH'S QUOTE
 
"It was good to get a game under out belt today and I thought UMass played well," Head Coach Kate Pfeifer said. "This matchup exposed some of our areas that need more work and it will help us focus our effort heading into this week. We certainly created some chances today which we need to finish if we want to get the result."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Hall nabbed UVM's season-opening goal in the fifth minute. The sophomore capitalized on a penalty corner with a tip-in deflection from just outside the left post. UMass answered with a pair of goals later on in the first quarter. Bella Ianni struck for the Minutewomen in the ninth minute and Josephine Ang gave them the lead shortly after.
• Jess Beech notched her first goal of the season in the 18^th minute for the lone tally in the second quarter. Georgie McTear was credited with the assist as UMass went to halftime up 3-1.  
• UVM and UMass exchanged penalty corner opportunities in a tight defensive third quarter. The Cats nearly converted in the final seconds of the third frame, but Clodagh Ferry's scoring attempt was stymied by the Minutewoman defense.
• The UMass defense continued to lock down Vermont in the fourth quarter. Sierra Espeland (5 saves) made a pair of key stops for the Catamounts to keep the game within reach in what was ultimately a scoreless second half.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• With the tally, Hall registers a goal in the season opener for the second consecutive year. The sophomore scored a pair in her collegiate debut last season against Syracuse.
• Goalkeeper Brooke Richards recorded one save in net for the Minutewomen.     

WHO'S NEXT

The Cats will get the week off before heading back to the Commonwealth next Saturday to take on Boston College. That contest will get underway at 3 p.m. in Chestnut Hill.