BURLINGTON, Vt. – First year
Sophia Drees had a goal and an assist leading Vermont to a 3-2 home opener win against Holy Cross Tuesday afternoon in non-conference action from Moulton Winder Field.
RELATED LINKS
CatamounTV Highlights
Photo Gallery
Postgame - Ferry
COACH'S QUOTE
"It was a goal today that really set the tone of the match," head coach
Kate Pfeifer said. "We talked a lot about our attacking possession, being smart with the ball, but not being too safe and it was just nice to see them go with some speed and attack together. It's nice to be able to play a high-pressure game and I think we continued to do that when things weren't going our way today which was excellent to see in terms of the growth of the team and that resiliency.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- For the second time this season the Catamounts opened the scoring in the first three minutes of the contest. Just 2:38 into the first quarter Clodagh Ferry scored her fourth goal of the season off UVM's first corner of the afternoon. Puck Kwaspen settled the corner over to Drees who dished over Ferry on the keeper's right side. Ferry gathered the pass and fired a perfect shot just inside the near post.
- UVM controlled the majority of the first half outshooting the Crusaders 6-1 in the opening 30 minutes. Holy Cross goalkeeper Brooke Ross made two saves to keep the deficit at one.
- Holy Cross equalized 5:57 into the third quarter on a transition opportunity. Katie Guden was able to deflect a Rachel Perry shot right in front of the Catamounts Sierra Espeland to knot things at one apiece.
- Vermont wasted no time recovering its lead, first year Alina Gerke scored her first career goal just 4:19 later to put the Catamounts up for good. Kate Hall split two Holy Cross defenders with a perfectly weighted through ball to Gerke. With Ross charging at her Gerke slipped a backhand shot past Ross and in for the go-ahead tally.
- Drees scored her first career goal 1:42 in the fourth quarter to seal the deal for Vermont. Maddie Moran and Kwaspen combined on the corner to setup Drees alone at the top of the shooting circle and she fired another shot just inside the post for UVM.
- The Crusaders did cut the UVM lead in half, scoring with just 17 seconds left in regulation. Sinead Walsh's tally was assisted by Meggan Fourie.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- This afternoon was the Catamounts first win in their home opener since defeating Siena 3-1 on August 25, 2017.
- With today's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Foodbank as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Vermont Mutual has committed to donating $15,000 to Vermont Foodbank for the 2021 season. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.
WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts are back home on Friday, September 10 as they host Hofstra at 2 p.m. All the action from Moulton Winder Field will be streamed live on AmericaEast.TV.
