Box Score FINAL SCORE: New Hampshire 2, Vermont 0
BURLINGTON, Vt. – The UVM women's soccer team suffered its first home defeat of the season with a 2-0 loss to twin state rival New Hampshire on Thursday night in the conference opener. Vermont drops to 4-5-1 on the year and begins the league slate at 0-1. UNH improves to 8-3 overall and 2-0 in America East play.
 
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The Wildcats jumped out in front in the third minute after an unlucky bounce for the Catamounts. Jackie Feraco took a free kick from 30 yards out and hooked a ball into the box where a UVM defender tried to clear the ball away with a header but the misfire found the back of the net.
 
The Catamounts had a chance three minutes later when Ella Bankert set up the offense on a corner kick. Bankert's kick landed in the six-yard box and Brooke Jenkins fired a shot on frame but UNH goalie Mia Neas (5 saves) dove on the turf to make the save.  
 
UNH doubled its lead in the 30th minute by finishing a rebound opportunity. Brooke Murphy lined a shot from inside of the six-yard box and UVM keeper Coco Speckmaier (5 saves) deflected the ball off the crossbar. On the rebound, Gaby Dorsey gathered the loose ball and tapped in the goal with a right-footed shot.
 
The Catamounts nearly answered on their ensuing possession. Bankert tried to go top shelf with an attempt but the ball clanked off the crossbar.
 
UVM started the second half off with an aggressive offensive attack after attempting five shots early in the period. In the 53rd minute, Jenkins dribbled towards the right side of the box where she tried to bend a shot inside of the near post but the ball flew too high of the net.   
 
In the 88th minute, the Green and Gold tried to use a corner kick to their advantage. Sarah Martin lined a ball in front of the net before Colby Snyder stretched out her right foot and toed a shot towards to left side of the net. The attempt was initially stopped by Neas but a UNH defender stepped in to clear the ball away before it crossed the goal line.
 
Vermont will face its first conference road test of the season at Binghamton on Sunday (Oct. 1) at 1 p.m. Live stats will be available for the contest at BUBearcats.com.
 
Almartin Volvo is the presenting sponsor of the 2017 women's soccer season.