ONEONTA, N.Y. – The Catamounts used a three-goal surge in the second half to hand first-year head coach
Rob Dow his first career victory as Vermont rolled to a 4-1 win at Hartwick on Friday night.
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"Tonight's game was a tall order to go on the road and win at a place that has so much tradition as Hartwick," Dow said. "I credit our opponent for putting pressure on us throughout the second half. I was happy with our collective effort, however Sunday's game against San Diego State will require use to be more disciplined against a Pac-12 team."
The Green and Gold won their eighth straight season opener after scoring the most goals in a season opener since 1993. The Catamounts reached the win column after producing 13 shots in the contest including 10 shots on goal.
In the 13th minute,
Jon Arnar Barðdal ripped a shot from about 10 yards out and nearly gave the Cats the advantage, but Hartwick keeper Lenny Wilson (5 saves) stretched out to his left and made the diving save to preserve the scoreless tie.
Three minutes later,
Geo Alves had a chance after beating Wilson and booted a shot towards the near post but a Hartwick defender stepped in to kick the attempt away.
The Catamounts jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute with
Justin Freitas' first goal as a Catamount. Barðdal sent a low through ball into the six-yard box where Freitas lined a one-timer to the far post.
The Hawks only needed two minutes to find the equalizer. Kane O'Neill dribbled up the left side of the 18-yard box and bent a cross to the far side where Marc Berry leaped up and headed the equalizer off the crossbar and into the back of the net.
In the 34th minute, Hartwick's Jamie O'Grady crushed a shot from about 40 yards away but UVM netminder
Aron Runarsson (1 save) caught the attempt off his chest for the save. As the clock wound down towards halftime,
Tom Cole dribbled through traffic and tapped a shot on goal but Wilson made a kick save to keep the scoreboard at 1-1 heading into the break.
Alves netted two goals in 27 seconds early in the second half to give Vermont a two-goal cushion. On the first score, Cole passed up to Alves who collected the feed and beat Wilson for the go-ahead score. On the second goal, the junior wasted very little time beating Hartwick's defense after getting a pass from
Daði Bærings Halldórsson and connected from inside of the 18-yard box with a shot towards the far post.
In the 57th minute, Cole padded UVM's lead to 4-1 with his first career goal after getting a low through ball from Alves and drilling a shot into the right side of the net.
Vermont wraps up its two-game road trip in New York on Sunday (Aug. 27). The Catamounts will play a neutral site game at Army against San Diego State. Action gets underway at 12 p.m.