LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – Senior Alexa Mihale scored a goal off a corner kick in double-overtime to send the Vermont women's soccer team (2-0, 0-0 AE) to a 3-2 win over defending MAAC Champion Siena (2-1, 0-0 MAAC) Friday afternoon.
 
It's the second time in the last three seasons that the Cats have started the year 2-0.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Today was a tough test against the reigning MAAC champs and we were able to execute in front of goal again today and had great contributions from several players," head coach Kristi Huizenga said. " Our team leaders were great today and Alyssa [Oviedo] stepped up big to respond and get us level. I'm also happy for Bailey and Alexa to get their first career goals."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Siena got on the board in the 11^th minute when a searching cross from the left wing deflected off of UVM defender and past a diving Lydia Kessel for an own goal.
• Kessel came up huge twice in the first 45 minutes. She dove to her left and punched away a one-time shot in the 20^th minute and then three minutes later thwarted away a sure goal on a Siena volley just outside the six-yard box and then pounced on the rebound.
• UVM found the equalizer in the 58^th minute. Abby Knobel motored down the pitch on a punt-return clear and played a ball towards the top of the Siena 18-yard box. Alyssa Oviedo ran through a Saint misplay and fired a low shot to the near post past the keeper to tie the game.
• The Cats grabbed the lead in the 71^st minute when an Alex West cross fell to the waiting right foot of first-year Bailey Ayer who calmly slotted her first career goal into the back of the net.
• In the 86^th minute, a bouncing ball in the Vermont box settled down to the possession of Siena's Emily McNelis who found day light in traffic to beat Kessel and tie the game at two.
• In the second overtime, the Cats earned their third corner kick of the game. Mihale took the kick, sending a high, bending left-footed strike towards the back post. It went untouched into the side netting to end it in the 103^rd minute.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Kessel finished the day with six saves to give her 16 saves through the first two games.
• Ayer fired five shots on the afternoon – two were on goal including her first-career goal in the second half.
• Vermont now has seven goals as a team this season surpassing last season's total (five goals in six games).
• UVM's last double overtime win came in September of 2017 when it beat American 1-0 in Washington D.C. The Cats advanced to the America East title game later that season.
• 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
The Catamounts return to action on Sunday when they travel to Dartmouth for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Big Green. All the action can be seen on ESPN+.