WOMEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
After a thrilling home win Wednesday the Catamounts head out for a four-game road trip that begins over spring break. Vermont will play two games in Georgia, facing Mercer on Sunday and Kennesaw State on Wednesday. It will be Vermont's first time facing each opponent. First up is the Bears at 1 p.m. on Sunday. A free live stream will be available on the SoCon Network.
 
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HIGH SCORING CATS
Vermont has produced 92 points, 65 goals, and 27 assists this season, the most by an America East team in goals and points. Freshman Ava Vasile is the conference leader with 17 goals this season. She had a hat trick and scored with 23 seconds left in regulation to give the Catamounts a 11-10 win over Siena Wednesday.
 
SOPHIE STARRING IN SOPHOMORE SEASON
Sophomore goalkeeper Sophie McLaughlin has the top goals-against average in America East at 10.17. She is second in the league with 61 saves. Her 61 saves are currently tied for 16th in the NCAA.
 
FORCING TURNOVERS
Vermont is 18th in the NCAA averaging 10.83 caused turnovers per game. In the Catamounts three wins this season they are averaging 13 caused turnovers. Sophomore defender Carolyn Carrera leads the team with 12 caused turnovers this season. Averaging 2.0 caused turnovers a game she is tied for 20th in the NCAA.
 
FIRST TIME AGAINST THE SOCON
Sunday will mark the first time the Catamounts have faced a team in the Southern Conference, which is in its third year sponsoring women's lacrosse. The conference is made up of Central Michigan, Delaware State, Detroit Mercy, Furman, Mercer and Wofford. The Bears are the two-time defending SoCon Champions.
 
Mercer is in its sixth season as a program and Sunday will be its first matchup against an America East opponent.
 
SCOUTING MERCER
The Bears are 4-2 this season after winning their last two contests against Winthrop and the Catamounts Wednesday opponent Kennesaw State. Mercer is averaging 14 goals per game. In their two losses to High Point and California they failed to score more than 11 goals.
 
Sophomore midfielder Hailey Rhatigan leads the team with 20 goals, 11 assists and 31 points. She was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Month for February. The Bears feature five players with nine or more draw controls, headlined by senior Michaela Lucas with 19. In net Mercer has split time with Kathryn Vanderlinde and Iseabel Cryne. They have both played in five games this season with 180 minutes of game action. Together their goals-against average is 11.40.