FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Vermont women's soccer team scored a goal in each half to pick up a 2-0 season-opening victory over Sacred Heart Thursday evening at Park Ave Field.
 
UVM starts the season 1-0 for the second straight year while Sacred Heart drops its season-opener for the third consecutive campaign.
 
RELATED LINKS
BOX SCORE | BOX SCORE (pdf)

COACH'S QUOTE

"We were happy to have a strong start to both halves to open the season," head coach Kristi Huizenga said. "We were tested a few times in the first half and Erin was steady and calm and allowed us to keep in control. A lot of players got minutes tonight which we hope sets us up well to turn around for Sunday vs. Merrimack."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the third minute Jill Brody nearly got the Cats on the board after corralling a long pass from Fiona Doherty. Brody's right footed blast from just outside the 18 sailed high over the bar.
• Vermont scored its first goal of the season in the eighth minute when Brody connected with Jazlyn Oviedo in the midfield. Oviedo sent a pass to the top of the 18 where it was settled by Kate Bossert. She bulldozed through two Sacred Heart defenders before making no mistake and slotting a low shot for a 1-0 lead.
• Sacred Heart managed several chances late in the first half including a pair of shots that rattled the woodwork. Three nervy saves from UVM's Erin Murphy in a span of about three minutes preserved the lead.
• Vermont nearly doubled the margin on a Tessa Weiss shot but the SHU keeper made a sprawling save.
• Murphy had to stand tall five minutes into second half making a diving save to her right.
• On the ensuing counter Vermont made the Pioneers pay. The ball quickly moved down the field to the right flank where Bossert found the birthday girl Alyssa Oviedo wide open in front of the goal. The captain patiently buried her chance for a 2-0 UVM lead.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Alyssa Oviedo scored her first goal of the season on her 22nd birthday.
• Kate Bossert matched her point total from all of last season tonight with a goal and an assist.
• Erin Murphy finished with nine saves – the most by a UVM keeper in her Catamount debut since Caitie Green made eight in an emergency start in 2014.
• UVM is 4-1-1 in its last six season openers.

UP NEXT
 
Vermont heads back out on the road Sunday for a 1 p.m. matchup against Merrimack in Andover, Mass. That game can also be seen on NEC Front Row.