VERMONT WOMEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
The University of Vermont women's lacrosse team opens the 2016 season hosting Bryant University on Monday (Feb. 15). Game time is set for 12 p.m. at Virtue Field. The game will be streamed online in HD for free via AmericaEast.tv.
 
TICKETS
Tickets to the game can be purchased online at UVMathletics.com/tickets or one hour before game time at the Gutterson Fieldhouse Box Office.
 
RELATED LINKS
2016 Schedule
Live Video (free)
Tickets
 
ABOUT THE CATAMOUNTS
Vermont was picked to finish fourth in the 2016 America East Preseason Coaches Poll after finishing third in last season's league standings (4-2 AE; 11-7 overall) and advancing to the America East Semifinals for the third straight year.
 
UVM returns four of its top six scorers from last season in 2016, as well as three players that earned America East All-Conference honors a year ago: Vanessa VanderZalm (first team), Courtney Cole (all-rookie) and Elena McWright (all-rookie).
 
VanderZalm played in 16 of the 18 games and finished her junior season with 52 points on 40 goals and 12 assists. She also led the team in draws (52) and added 50 ground balls. Cole and McWright combined for 24 goals as rookies last season.
 
Head coach Jen Johnson, the program's all-time winningest coach, enters her 12th season at the helm of the Catamounts. She has added 14 newcomers to the program for the 2016 campaign.
 
SCOUTING BRYANT
The Bulldogs are the defending NEC Champions, winning the regular season and tournament titles in 2015 with a 6-1 league record (14-5 overall). Bryant is the preseason favorite to repeat in the 2016 NEC Preseason Poll.
 
Head coach Jill Batcheller, a two-time NEC Coach of the Year, is in her fourth season at the helm of the Bulldogs.
 
Bryant returns the reigning NEC Offensive Player of the Year, Lauren Descalzo. She ranked second in the league in goals per game (3.39 pg) and third in points per game (3.89 pg). She finished the 2015 season with 70 points on 61 goals and nine assists. The Bulldogs also return three other All-NEC First-Team selections in juniors Emily Columbus, Carly Cronin and Molly Martin. Columbus led Bryant in scoring with 71 points (5 game-winning goals) on 52 goals and 19 assists. Cronin and Martin anchor a Bryant defense that allowed just 9.32 goals per game last season (2nd in the NEC).
 
Both goalkeepers from last season also return for the Bulldogs. Samantha Santeramo started 17 games and posted a 9.79 goals against average, while Daja Andrews played in 12 games, starting two, and registered a 8.32 goals against average last season.
 
CATS TO ADD 11 NEWCOMERS IN 2017
Head coach Jen Johnson announced 11 newcomers will join the program in 2017. "This recruiting class has a tremendous amount of skill and athleticism. These 11 players are going to make an impact and add depth in all areas of the field. They hail from competitive club and high school programs, bringing experience and drive to our growing program," said Johnson. Click here to read more about the class.
 
PROMOTIONS
February 20 vs. Colgate (12 p.m.) – Team Poster Day presented by the UPS Store Downtown
March 19 vs. Siena (1 p.m.) – Cat Pride Double Points
- All Cat Pride Club members receive double points when checking in at the game. Learn more about the Cat Pride Club, a free fan rewards program, by clicking here.
March 26 vs. Albany (7 p.m.) – Friends of Jaclyn Night
- In the first night game at Virtue Field in program history, the team will honor the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. High school lacrosse teams are invited to attend the game for free. Please send an email to Will Hurd (whurd@uvm.edu) to RSVP for complementary tickets and more information.
April 6 vs. UMass Lowell (3 p.m.) – Postgame Pass & Catch with the Cats
- Kids are encouraged to participate in a Postgame Pass & Catch with the Catamounts.
April 30 vs. Binghamton (3 p.m.) – Senior Day & Rally Against Cancer Game presented by Otter Creek Awnings and Vermont Custom Closet & Fan Appreciation Day
- UVM will honor its senior class in a pregame ceremony. The Catamounts will also wear pink apparel in support of breast cancer research and efforts to fight the disease by the University of Vermont Cancer Center. Lacrosse players 12 and under along with campers from this past summer are invited to receive free admission by emailing Will Hurd (whurd@uvm.edu) to be placed on a complimentary ticket list. Fans are encouraged to stay following the game for food and prizes as part of Fan Appreciation Day.
 
WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts will return to action on Saturday (Feb. 20) when they host Colgate at 12 p.m. at Virtue Field. The game will be streamed online for freer via AmericaEast.tv.
 
KEEP UP WITH THE CATAMOUNTS: There are several ways to keep up with all the women's lacrosse news, notes and results:
On Social Media:
Twitter: follow @UVMwlax or @UVMathletics and use the hashtag #VCats
Instagram: instagram.com/vermontcatamounts or instagram.com/uvmwlax
Facebook:  facebook.com/vermont.catamounts or facebook.com/uvmwlax
YouTube: go to youtube.com/uvmathletics for game highlights and more
Snapchat: add uvm_athletics
 
Other Ways:
Catamount Score Alerts: Receive the final score from all games via a text message to your mobile device. Click here to sign up for the free service (data & msg rates may apply)
eNews: Receive news about UVM women's lacrosse via your personal email inbox. Click here to signup for the free service.
AmericaEast.tv: Watch all home games and America East games on the America East Digital Network for FREE at AmericaEast.tv.
Cat Pride Club: The Cat Pride Club is a free fan rewards program. Download the Cat Pride Club app to your smartphone and check in at games. Earn points toward prizes for checking in and attending games. Click here to download the app or more information.