FINAL SCORE: Vermont 3, UAlbany 2 (UVM wins shootout 6-5)
ALBANY, N.Y. — Vermont (14-5, 2-3 AE) defeated UAlbany (11-7, 3-2 AE), 6-5 in a shootout, on Friday afternoon at Alumni Turf to capture its second America East Championship. With the victory, the Catamounts set a program record with 14 wins in a season.
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
COACH'S QUOTE
"It feels great to be bringing another trophy home to Catamount Country," said Head Coach Kate Pfeifer. "This team came into the tournament as the 5th seed and fought their way to the top. The fight and resolve in the group was incredible to witness through all three games, and particularly down the stretch today. We're excited to bring our best to the NCAA tournament."
HOW IT HAPPENED
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UAlbany earned a penalty corner 2:47 into the first quarter, but Vermont's defense held strong. The Catamounts blocked Quinty Reumer's initial shot before Anyia Woods recorded a defensive save on Reumer's second attempt.
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Vermont struck first at the 14:21 mark of the second quarter on a penalty corner. Fiona McMahon inserted the ball to Woods, who fired a shot past UAlbany's goalkeeper to give the Catamounts a 1-0 lead.
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Vermont extended its lead to 2-0 when Jaime Lewis sent a backhand shot toward the front of the goal that deflected off a UAlbany defender and into the cage.
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Neither team recorded a shot on goal in the third quarter. Reumer registered an attempt, but Woods came up with another defensive save to preserve Vermont's shutout.
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The Great Danes got on the board at the 14:27 mark of the fourth quarter on a penalty corner. Mara Kuskes inserted the ball to Emma Staron, who served as the stick stopper before Reumer fired a shot into the cage.
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UAlbany tied the game at 2-2 at the 5:23 mark of the fourth quarter. Kuskes once again inserted the ball, with Staron serving as the stick stopper before Reumer scored her second goal of the game.
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The Catamounts earned three consecutive penalty corners in the final moments of regulation but were unable to convert. Vermont and UAlbany headed into overtime tied at 2-2.
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Vermont recorded two shots in overtime, but both were blocked, sending the game to a shootout.
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Gabby Santini opened the shootout for Vermont. After her initial attempt was saved, she stayed with the play and tucked the ball into the back left corner of the cage.
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UAlbany responded with a goal from Pilar Lorenzini, who faked to her backhand before shifting to her forehand and sliding the ball into the bottom right corner.
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Emily Enden followed with a turnaround shot to give Vermont a 2-1 advantage in the shootout.
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Kuskes answered with a backhand shot to even the shootout at 2-2.
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Lewis gave the Catamounts a 3-2 lead by faking her backhand, turning to her forehand, and sending the ball into the top of the cage.
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Jette Kurz responded by maneuvering to her forehand and sliding the ball into the back left corner to tie the shootout at 3-3.
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McMahon was next for Vermont. After being bumped off the ball, she spun back to her forehand and scored to give the Catamounts a 4-3 lead.
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Milou Nijveldt denied Tatum Hickey on UAlbany's next attempt, and the UAlbany goalkeeper stopped Vermont's ensuing shot.
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Mathilda Prada responded with a turnaround shot into the bottom right corner to even the shootout at 4-4.
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Both teams converted their next two attempts, with Santini scoring for Vermont and Lorenzini scoring for UAlbany.
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Enden scored the deciding goal in the seventh round to give Vermont a 6-5 shootout victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Woods' goal marked the first of her career with the Catamounts. She also recorded three defensive saves in the contest.
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Lewis scored her seventh goal of the season.
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Vermont and UAlbany each recorded five shots on goal.
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The Catamounts held a 16-8 advantage in penalty corners.
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Addie DelOrefice was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2026 America East Championship.
- DelOrefice was joined on the All-Championship Team by Enden, Santini, and Woods.
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With today's Win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to the Lund Family Center through the Cat's Win, Community Win's initiative. Vermont Mutual has donated over $5 Million Dollars since launching their Charitable Giving Fund in 2014.
UP NEXT
After capturing their second America East Championship, the Catamounts have punched their ticket to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Vermont will know its opponent and location on Selection Sunday, which will be streamed at 10 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.
For news and updates about the Vermont Field Hockey program, follow @UVMfieldhky on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com
