BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont scored six goals in a game for the first time since 2006 as the Catamounts cruised to a 6-1 home opener win over Merrimack in non-conference action from Moulton Winder Field Friday afternoon. With the win Vermont improves to 2-1 on the campaign while the Warriors fall to 0-3.

RELATED LINKS
Box Score (.pdf)
CatamounTV Highlights

COACH'S QUOTE
"I thought we came out with a fire that we haven't seen at the start of a match yet this season," head coach Kate Pfeifer said. "They had a mission to put the ball in the net early today and keep it going. Five goals in the first half was a new record for us and it's something I'm really proud of and not just the goals but the variety of goal scoring."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• For the second straight game the Catamounts scored the first goal of the game in the opening minutes. Sophia Drees scored her first goal of the season on a corner with assists to Maddie Moran and Kate Hall just 3:39 into the contest.
• Haley Buffenbarger doubled the Catamounts advantage on another corner five minutes later. Buffenbarger's first of the season deflected off a Merrimack defender and found the back of the net. Hall earned her second assist of the game on the goal.
• Maddie Moran's first career goal completed the Catamounts blistering first quarter attack with 2:08 to play in the opening frame. Moran's tally was assisted by first years' Maddie Priestly and Sophia Lefranc.
• 3:16 into the second quarter the Catamounts offensive onslaught continued. Reggie Hillery picked up her first career goal tipping-in a pass from Drees at the side of the net.
• With 18 seconds left in the half UVM made it a commanding five-goal advantage. Merrimack's Isabelle Gardiner made a tough first save but the rebound stayed out front, Moran knocked the rebound to the turf and a diving effort from Priestly put it home for her first career goal.
• Merrimack's Katelyn Bennett scored their lone goal of the game in the third quarter off a penalty corner.
• Alina Gerke picked up her first goal of the campaign in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring for the Catamounts. In transition Hillery played an excellent through ball to Gerke. Gerke cut down the wing and moved to the middle before firing a shot past Gardiner.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• This afternoon Vermont scored six goals marking the first time they have scored four or more goals in back-to-back games since 2016.
• It was the first time UVM has scored six goals in a game under Head Coach Kate Pfeifer. They last scored six in a 6-4 decision at UMass on October 11, 2006.
• The Catamounts are now 12-0 under Head Coach Kate Pfeifer when scoring four or more goals in a game.
• With two saves this afternoon Sierra Espeland recorded her 28th career win at Vermont which moved her into a first-place tie with Pat Donze (1979-81).

UP NEXT
The Catamounts return to action next weekend down in Boston. On Friday, September 9 they will face Holy Cross at 3 p.m. Then on Sunday, September 11 they'll take on Boston University at 1 p.m. Both games will be hosted by Harvard University at the Berylson Family Field Hockey Field. Sunday's contest will air on ESPN+.