FIELD HOCKEY NOTEBOOK
 
The Vermont field hockey team plays the first of eight 2022 home games this Friday when Merrimack comes to town for the Catamount's home opener.
 
Action gets underway at 3 p.m. from Moulton Winder Field. Admission is free for all field hockey home games.
 
RELATED LINKS
Live Stats | AmericaEast.TV
 
REDSTONE SWAG TOSS

Redstone is proud to support UVM Athletics and be the sponsor of the Den student section. Redstone will be sponsoring a swag toss for lucky fans at Friday's game. UVM students, find your happy place as a resident at the Redstone Commons, Redstone Lofts, and Spinner Place.

LAST TIME OUT
 
UVM split a pair of games over opening-weekend dropping a decision to #10 Syracuse on Saturday before rebounding with a 4-1 win over Sacred Heart on Sunday. Kate Hall scored two goals in the weekend finale to lead the way offensively while Sierra Espeland picked up her 27^th career victory in cage, which moves her into a tie for second all-time. Sophia Lefranc notched her first career goal in the Green and Gold while 2021 America East All-Rookie selection Alina Gerke fired home her first goal of the season. Sophia Drees dished out a pair of assists, as well, in the win. The Cats have now won three straight games against the Pioneers.
 
FOUR TIMES THE CHARM
 
Vermont is 11-0 when scoring at least four goals under head coach Kate Pfeifer. The Cats have accomplished the feat seven times since the 2019 season.
 
TEAM CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED
 
Joining seniors Haley Buffenbarger and Kate Hall wearing the captain band this season is junior Eileen King. She took home the team's most improved player award following the abridged 2021 spring season and will provide steady depth up front for the Catamounts.
 
YOUTH MOVEMENT
 
Earlier this summer Pfeifer announced the nine-member class of 2026 which features six American and three international student-athletes. It matches the largest class of first-year players in Pfeifer's nine seasons at the helm.
 
SCOUTING THE WARRIORS
 
Picked seventh in the Northeast Conference preseason coaches' poll, Merrimack enters the weekend with an 0-2 record following defeats to Colgate and LaSalle. Lauren Burke and Meghan McCarthy both scored goals for the Warriors last weekend while Isabelle Gardiner played all 120 minutes in cage making ten saves. Anne-Sophie Hogenboom is the team's leading returning scorer from 2021 when she scored three goals and added four assists.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
The series history between the Catamounts and Warriors is brief with the two teams having met just once prior to Friday's contest. Back in 2019, Vermont defeated Merrimack 4-1 in Burlington. Haley Buffenbarger scored her first career goal in the win. The Warriors started the transition from Division II to Division I that season and are currently in their fourth season in the DI ranks.