WOMEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
Vermont women's lacrosse begins the 2024 campaign on Friday (Feb. 9) when it visits Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C. The opening draw is set for 4 p.m. ET at Brooks Stadium. The season opener will broadcast live on ESPN+.
 
RELATED LINKS
Watch on ESPN+
Live Stats
 
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.
 
SCOUTING THE CHANTS
Coastal Carolina was picked No. 3 in the ASUN Conference Coaches' Poll after finishing with a record of 12-7 (4-3 ASUN) mark in 2023. Coastal Carolina suffered a 15-7 loss to Jacksonville in the ASUN Semifinals. CCU returns Kayla Downey who was named ASUN Player of the Year in 2023. Downey tallied a program-best 88 points (51 goals, 37 assists) to lead the Chants. Avery McIlwaine was named ASUN Midfielder of the Year a season ago and finished with 35 goals, 17 assists, and 42 draw controls. Jordan Gertz led the Chant's defensive unit (12 caused turnovers, 14 groundballs). 
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Vermont and Coastal Carolina will meet for the second time in series history on Friday afternoon. The Catamounts suffered a 15-10 loss to the Chants in 2016.
 
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.