BALTIMORE – Vermont scored two or more goals for the sixth consecutive game defeating UMBC 3-1 Sunday afternoon at Retriever Soccer Park and clinching the second America East regular season championship in program history. With the win, the Catamounts improved their record to 9-5-1 overall and 6-2-0 in league play.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score (.pdf)
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"All three of our goals today came from players who subbed into the game which is a huge testament to our team culture and our depth," Head Coach Kristi Huizenga said. "We were disappointed to give up a goal but credit to UMBC who played hard all game. We are happy to have clinched the one seed for the tournament but know we still have work ahead of us as we prepare for the playoffs."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a back and forth first half the Catamounts took control of the game with two goals in the final 9:09 of the opening 45. Ella Bankert intercepted a UMBC clearance attempt and found Karen Wallace in space. Wallace took a touch to the middle before firing a shot just inside the post for her first goal of the campaign in the 36th minute.
• In the 43rd minute Jill Brody notched her third goal of the season to double the UVM advantage. UVM took a short corner to Brody and she dribbled into space before wiring a perfect shot just under the bar to make it 2-0.
• Juliana Rafaniello made it a one-goal game again with her sixth goal of the season in the 66th minute. From about 25 yards out she picked a corner and beat UVM's Lydia Kessel with a floated shot.
• First year Kate Bossert ensured a comeback wasn't in the books with her first career goal. With UMBC pressing for a goal UVM broke the other way in transition on an extended three-on-three opportunity. Bankert played a beautiful ball through to Bossert who one-touched it to the top corner to seal the Vermont win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Catamounts current six-game win streak is its longest since the 1996 campaign. In 1996 UVM was also the America East regular season champions with an unblemished record of 7-0-0 in league play.
• Sunday was Ella Bankert's first career two assist game.
• With the win, this afternoon Lydia Kessel is tied with Eliza Bradley (2006-10) for tenth all-time at Vermont with 12 career wins.
• It is the first time Vermont has scored two or more goals in six straight games since 2005.
• Vermont is the first team in league history to start conference play with two losses and win the regular season title.
• Vermont clinched the regular season title about 20 minutes after their contest at UMBC ended. Stony Brook scored with 33 seconds left in regulation to defeat UMass Lowell. Along with UNH's win over Binghamton yesterday Vermont is now four points up on everyone with just one league game to go.
• With today's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Foodbank as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Vermont Mutual has committed to donating $15,000 to Vermont Foodbank for the 2021 season. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.

WHO'S NEXT
Vermont returns home on Thursday, October 28 to face New Hampshire in the final game of the regular season. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. It's an America East doubleheader with the men's soccer program who will host UMass Lowell at 7 p.m. Both games will air live on AmericaEast.TV.
Following the regular season finale Thursday, the Catamounts will be off for a week awaiting their opponent in the America East Semifinals. UVM will face the lowest remaining seed after the quarterfinal contests on Sunday, October 31. UVM's semifinal matchup is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 4. Ticket information will be announced later this week.