WOMEN'S SOCCER NOTEBOOK
The Catamounts (4-1-0) will complete their non-conference Patriot League swing on the road against Holy Cross (1-3-2) on Thursday night. The game is scheduled to start for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
RELATED LINKS
Watch Live on ESPN+ | Live Stats
DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE
Vermont's defensive unit leads the America East in total goals allowed, save percentage and goals against average. Through five games the Catamounts have two shutouts and have only allowed three goals. UVM leads the conference with a .914 save percentage and a .60 goals against average.
AMONG THE AMERICA EAST LEADERS
Kate Bossert has started strong for the Catamounts leading the America East in shots taken (16), shots per game (3.20), is tied for the lead in goals scored (4), game-winning goals (2) and is third in shots on goal (9). Bailey Ayer is 10th among qualifying America East athletes with two assists while Alyssa Oviedo is ninth in goals scored (2) and fifth in game-winning goals with one. Sophomore Kylee Carafoli has been a stalwart in goal earning two victories (both shutouts) and allowing just one goal. Her one goal allowed and her .938 save percentage are both tied for the best among America East goalkeepers. She has registered 15 saves and her 5.00 average saves per game is fourth.
WINNING STREAK
The Catamounts have won four straight games after falling on the road to Boston University in their season opener. In those four games, Vermont has outscored their opponents 9-2 and posted two clean sheets (FDU and Colgate). UVM's victory over Colgate ended a 17 game losing streak against the Raiders and extended their winning streak to their longest since the 2021 season.
AMERICA EAST NOMINATIONS
Vermont had their second consecutive week earning America East Honors when Erin Murphy earned Defensive Player of the Week. Murphy finished with tied for a career-high nine saves in the 2-1 victory against Sacred Heart. Carafoli garnered Co-Defensive Player of the Week last week with a four save shutout against FDU.
BALANCED ATTACK
Vermont has spread the wealth through five games this season with five different goal-scorers. Bossert leads Vermont with four goals, including two game-winners, both on the road, against Colgate and FDU. Bossert has recorded a goal in four straight games for the first time in her career. Ayer leads Vermont with two assists while also adding a goal to her tally. Junior Maddy Cronin scored her first collegiate goal with the game winner against Merrimack. Oviedo has also registered two goals for the Catamounts, including the game winner against Sacred Heart. Lauren DeGroot scored her first goal of the season on an assist from sophomore Kaley Kreutzer to seal a 2-0 victory over Colgate. Kreutzer's assist was the first point of her career. First year Aubrey Bough and junior Abbey Knobel have each added an assist for Vermont as well.
SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS
Holy Cross is led by senior midfielder Cerys Balmer who has scored four goals this season and earned a Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week honor earlier in the season. Balmer leads the Crusaders with eight points and has registered 10 shots with four coming on goal. Classmate Sydney Baldwin is second on the team with three points on one goal and one assist. Fellow senior Ellie Zern leads Holy Cross with two assists and has also registered three shots on goal. The Crusaders have split time in net between three different goalkeepers. Julia Walsh has put up the best numbers for Holy Cross registering a victory to go along with 10 saves, a 1.50 goals against average and a .769 save percentage in two starts.
INSIDE THE SERIES
This will be the 10th all-time matchup between the Catamounts and Crusaders and the first since 2019. Vermont holds a 5-1-3 advantage in the series. The last three times these teams have met have ended in a tie. In 2001 and 2011 the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw after double overtime and in 2019 the teams ended in a 0-0 double overtime tie. Karen Wallace led Vermont registering four shots, with one on goal, in that 2019 game. Vermont has outscored Holy Cross 15-9 throughout the series. Vermont's last victory against Holy Cross came in a 4-0 road victory in 1993.
WHO'S NEXT
Following Thursday night's matchup against Holy Cross the Catamounts will finish their NEC slate against Stonehill on Sunday, September 10. The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
YOUTH DAY PRESENTED BY HEALTHY LIVING
Sunday's matchup with Stonehill will be the Catamounts annual Youth Day presented by Healthy Living. A variety of activities including a bounce house, arts and crafts, lawn games, dress like a Catamount, air brush tattoo station, and the Healthy Living giveaway table will be available. These activities will begin at 2 p.m. surrounding Virtue Field.
