BURLINGTON, Vt. –  The University of Vermont field hockey program recognized the individual accomplishments of the 2021 spring season this week announcing major team award winners.  
 
RELATED LINKS
NFHCA All-Region Honors
America East All-Conference Selections
 
"I am inspired by these remarkable women and the resiliency they and their teammates showed this past year," head coach Kate Pfeifer said. "We were fortunate to train through the fall and spring semesters and rain snow or shine, they were committed to getting better every day. Each of these five women were determined to make an impact on the team however they could, and they did! It is great to see them recognized for their efforts. Congratulations, Eileen, Perry, Haley, Clodagh and Maddie!"
 
The 2021 Catamounts finished the season just outside playoff position in the America East after an ultra-competitive 10-game schedule. UVM posted a 3-1 win over New Hampshire and ranked fourth in the league giving up just 1.80 goals per game. Five Catamounts earned America East postseason honors, two earned all-region accolades and 18 Cats were named to the NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad.
 
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER | Clodagh Ferry
The Most Valuable Player award is given to the athlete who most notably contributed to the team's success on the pitch. Ferry earned her third straight All-Conference selection this spring and was recognized as a member of the All-Northeast Region Second Team earlier this June. She led the team with 19 shots on goal while controlling the midfield.
 
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER | Eileen King & Perry Willett
The Most Improved Player award is given to the athlete who exemplifies notable coachability and growth to help the team be successful. Willett became a key contributor off the bench in 2021 playing in eight games as a forward. Regularly the first at practice, King developed her skill immensely over the course of her first season in Catamount Country. She saw action in Vermont's 4-3 win over UC Davis late in the season.
 
CATAMOUNT GRIT AWARD | Haley Buffenbarger
The Catamount Grit Award is given to the athlete who demonstrated remarkable work ethic and commitment to being mentally and physically tough. Buffenbarger started all 10 games in the UVM midfield this season. She helped backbone a defense that gave up fourth fewest goals in the league. She was also named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad with a 3.7 GPA as a microbiology major.
 
STIRLING WINDER AWARD | Maddie Moran
The Stirling Winder Award honors the athlete who embodies the qualities of strength, perseverance and resiliency in the face of hardship. After a pair of knee surgeries sidelines Moran in her first two season in Burlington, she delivered strong offensive pressure off the bench this spring before a season-ending hand injury forced her out of the team's final four games. In six games she fired five shots on a goal – good for fourth on the team.