WOMEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
Vermont (1-0) continues its season-opening road trip on Sunday (Feb. 10) when it visits Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C. The opening draw is set for 1 p.m. ET at Spangler Stadium. The matchup will broadcast live on ESPN+.
 
RELATED LINKS
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Live Stats
 
SEASON-OPENING WIN
The Catamounts opened the 2024 campaign with a hard-fought 10-9 victory at Coastal Carolina. McKenzie Ballard led the Vermont attack, matching a career-high four goals. Rookie Anna Rosenberger made eight saves in goal, including a huge stop in a free-position attempt in the final minute.
 
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Gardner-Webb opens up its season when it hosts UVM on Sunday. The Bulldogs were picked No. 9 in the 2024 Big South Preseason Lacrosse Coach's Poll. GWU returns senior, Aimie Perino, who finished third on the team in scoring (22 goals, 9 assists) in 2022. They also return senior, Brittany Sherrod (25 goals, 3 assists). They ended the 2023 campaign 4-13 overall and 3-6 in conference (Big South).
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Sunday's game is the first-ever meeting between the Catamounts and the Bulldogs.
 
WHO'S BACK
The Catamounts return America East Co-Attacker of the Year, Ava Vasile, and America East Rookie of the Year, Jane Trauger for the 2024 season. Vasile reaches second place for most goals in a career (162) in 2023. In her first year, Trauger was second on the team in points (34 goals, 10 assists). Not far behind her was now-junior, Maddie Erskine, who recorded 29 goals and eight assists.
 
PRESEASON POLL
UVM was picked second in the America East Preseason Poll. Reigning champion UAlbany was selected first in the poll, receiving six first-place votes. UVM edged out Binghamton – who picked up the remaining first-place votes – by one point. Voting was conducted by the league's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own team.
 
THE CATAMOUNT CAPTAINS
Erin Kloostra, Charlotte Nevins, Meghan O'Connor, Ava Vasile, and Kenzie Vasque were selected to as team captains for the 2024 campaign. Head coach Sarah Dalton Graddock said, "As individuals they each have their own experiences that shaped them into the people they are today. And as a unit they know what it takes to win a championship."
 
NEW ADDITIONS
The Vermont women's lacrosse program welcomed 13 new Catamounts for the 2024 season. The incoming class is made of 11 first-years and two transfers. UVM's two goalkeepers are first-years: Ayla Shea and Anna Rosenberger with the rest of the class made up of five defenders, five midfielders, and one attacker.
 
HOME OPENER
UVM begins the season with three straight road games before its home opener against LIU on Feb. 24. The matchup between the Cats and the Sharks will begin at 12 p.m. at Virtue Field.