FINAL SCORE: Vermont 13, New Hampshire 9
DURHAM, N.H. – Dani Paterno gave Vermont (5-5, 5-3 AE) the lead with 8:47 left in the first half as the Catamounts earned a 13-9 victory over New Hampshire (3-6, 2-5 AE) on Saturday night at Wildcat Stadium. With the win, UVM secured a berth in the America East Tournament for the first time since 2015.
RELATED LINKS
Box Score: Web | PDF
Highlights
COACH'S QUOTE
"I loved our fight and mentality throughout tonight's win," said head coach
Sarah Dalton Graddock. "Our defense had great stops, draw teams stepped up huge in the second half, and offense scored at crucial times. Really proud of our 33 women who have sacrificed so much this year to be rewarded with another game."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a scoreless opening 10 minutes, New Hampshire was first to get on the board with Liv Dunn's 16th goal of the season. Vermont quickly answered with goals from Ava Vasile and Taylor Mullen. Vasile's 26th of the season came with a woman-up advantage and 17:45 left in the first half.
- New Hampshire struck once again, but the Catamounts responded with four consecutive goals to close out the first half. Paterno scored to give Vermont the lead and Grace Giancola struck shortly after. Ava Vasile added two more goals – one with a woman-up advantage and the other off a free position. Vermont took a 6-2 lead into the break.
- The America East counterparts exchanged goals to start the second half with UNH's Julia Neyland opening the scoring. Meghan O'Connor and Riley Halloran responded for Vermont to stretch the lead to 8-3.
- Halloran added a woman-down goal with 16:46 left in regulation and Mullen netted Vermont's third woman-up goal of the game for a 10-4 UVM lead.
- The Wildcats closed out the game with a 4-3 run in the final 8:51. McKenzie Ballard scored for Vermont along with Giancola and Paterno.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Paterno led the Catamounts on offense with five points on two goals and three assists. The junior matched her career-high in points, which was set in her rookie season at Central Connecticut State.
- Ava Vasile had a team-high three goals and six shots. The sophomore also registered one assist.
- Sophie McLaughlin recorded eight saves in goal for Vermont.
- 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
The Catamounts return to action on Saturday (May 1) for the regular season finale against UMass Lowell. Vermont hosts the River Hawks on Senior Night presented by the UVM Alumni Association. The opening draw is slated for 5 p.m. at Virtue Field.
