WOMEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
Vermont (2-0) looks to continue its hot start when it hosts Merrimack in its home opener on Monday (Feb. 21) at Virtue Field. Monday's game was originally scheduled for Sunday (Feb. 21) before the postponement. The opening draw is slated for 2 p.m. and can be seen live on AmericaEast.TV. Fans can purchase tickets at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by visiting the Gutterson Fieldhouse Box Office on gameday.
 
RELATED LINKS
Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
 
SCOUTING THE WARRIORS
Merrimack starts their 2022 season against Vermont. The Warriors were predicted to finish seventh in the Northeast Conference Preseason Poll. Last season, Merrimack finished with a record of 3-11 (3-9 NEC) behind their leading goal scorer Meghan Dzialo (44 goals) who finished the season ranked third in the league in goals per game (3.14). Including Dzialo, Merrimack is returning four of their top five goal scorers from a season ago. Merrimack also returns assists leader, Natalie Calkins, who scored a hat trick against UVM last time they played. Taking the reins of the Warriors is first year head coach Fox Sargent who previously coached at Roger Williams.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
This will be the second head-to-head matchup between Merrimack and Vermont. The first time they faced each other was two years prior, during the shortened 2020 season. The Catamounts ended with a 19-11 victory at Merrimack. Maris Large tallied six points (4 goals, 2 assists), Taylor Mullen led the team in assists (4), and Sophie McLaughlin record six saves in goal for Vermont.
 
2-0 CATS
Vermont has opened the season with two-straight wins for the first time since the 2019 campaign when the Cats registered wins over Colgate (W, 12-9) and Manhattan (W, 10-7). UVM has outscored opponents by an average margin of 7.5 points in its early victories.
 
AVA'S OFFENSE
Ava Vasile has tallied 10 points (7 goals, 3 assists) in the first two games, which is the third-highest total in America East to date.  The junior's points per game (5.0) ranks second in the conference. Vasile is also in the league's top five in goals, assists, and shots per game.
 
CARRERA EARNS WEEKLY HONOR
Carolyn Carrera was named America East Defensive Player of the Week on Monday (Feb. 14) for her performance in Vermont's season-opening win at Colgate. The senior caused three turnovers and scooped up a league-high seven groundballs to help the Catamounts defeat the Raiders 17-8.

THE LEADERS
The Catamounts announced their six captains chosen to lead the program for the 2022 season. The leadership group, made up of Riley Halloran, Grace Giancola, Molly McDonough, Maris Large, Carolyn Carrera, and Camille Argentieri, was selected by the team.
 
NEW FACES
Vermont welcomed 10 newcomers to the program for the 2022 season. The new Catamounts include Maddie Erskine, Anabel Gicewicz, Erin Winder, Annie O'Hara, Kendall Traveis, Audrey Cole, Caroline Kagan, and Claire Adelhelm, along with transfers Lexie Ruff and Kerry Gerety. Ruff is a junior transfer from Virignia Tech. Gerety comes to the program as a fifth-year senior after four seasons at Siena.