University of Vermont Athletics

FINAL SCORE: Vermont 2, Merrimack 2 
Burlington, Vt. – Farrah Yaacoub and Abby Ballinger recorded goals as Vermont (0-0-1) drew with Merrimack (0-0-1) 2-2 at home in Burlington, Vt. from Virtue Field on Wednesday night.   
 
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COACH'S QUOTE 
 " It was great talking finally get our first game in with this new group and we were able to create a lot of opportunities and of course capitalizing on two is always nice. " said Head Coach Kristi Huizenga. "We have much to work on still with the season being so young and look forward to continuing to grow this group over the next few games as we get players experience and prepare for conference play." 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• In the 5th minute, Madeline Gardner took a shot, but the Merrimack goalkeeper made the save. 

• Eight minutes later, Farrah Yaacoub scored from outside the box off a pass from Aubrey Bough, putting Vermont ahead 1-0. 

• In the 26th minute, Sydney Slusser made consecutive saves: first on a shot inside the box, then on a header from a corner kick. 

• Merrimack tied the game 1-1 with a goal from inside the box in the 36th minute. 

• With two minutes left in the first half, Abby Ballinger scored her first collegiate goal, assisted by Éléonore Blouin and Katelyn Figueiredo, to give Vermont a 2-1 lead. 

• Vermont led 2-1 at halftime. 

• Goalkeeper Sophia Kling started the second half and made a save in the 51st minute. 

• Eight minutes later, Madeline Gardner broke through on a solo run, but the Merrimack goalkeeper made a diving save. 

• Merrimack tied the game at 2-2 in the 65th minute. 

• In the 83rd minute, Eleni Stowell's free kick narrowly missed, passing just over the crossbar. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Yaacoub scored the second goal of her Catamount career. 

• Abby Ballinger recorded her first collegiate goal.  

• Éléonore Blouin and Katelyn Figueiredo notched their first collegiate assists.  

• Vermont earned eight corner kicks, while Merrimack had six. 

• Sophia Kling made her collegiate debut and recorded five saves. 

• Sydney Slusser recorded two saves.  

UP NEXT
The Catamounts will host Sacred Heart for a contest on Sunday (Aug. 16). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

For news and updates about the Vermont women's soccer program, follow @UVMwsoccer on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com. 
 
East Rise Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont soccer