Buffenbarger joined the field hockey coaching staff in the summer of 2024 after serving as a three-year captain at UVM.
In her second season as an assistant, she worked extensively with the goalkeepers. Vermont ranked 17th nationally in shutouts per game with a 0.32 mark. Merle Vaandrager led the America East with a 1.44 goals-against average and four shutouts, while ranking second in save percentage with a 75.9% mark.
The Catamounts advanced to their second straight America East Championship and hosted the America East Playoffs for the first time in program history after securing their first regular-season title. Vaandrager earned All-Conference First Team honors and was named Goalkeeper of the Year, while the staff was recognized as Coaching Staff of the Year.
In her first season, Vermont split goalkeeping duties between Vaandrager and Illa Gunner. Vaandrager again led the conference with a 1.11 goals-against average, six shutouts, and a save percentage of 78.9 percent.
The Catamounts captured their first America East title and advanced to their first NCAA Tournament. Vermont finished the season tied for eighth nationally with eight shutouts and ranked 24th in save percentage. Vaandrager was named to the All-Tournament Team and All-Rookie Team.
A five-year student-athlete at UVM, Buffenbarger minored in coaching and served as a captain for three seasons. She ranks second in program history with 81 career games played, totaling seven goals and nine assists. She helped lead the Catamounts to back-to-back America East playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023 after a three-year playoff hiatus. Buffenbarger earned the program’s Catamount Grit Award in 2020 and 2023 and was named to the America East All-Tournament Team in both 2022 and 2023. Buffenbarger is a native of Leesburg, Va.
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