ORONO, Maine – Senior Cricket Basa scored a goal and an assist leading Vermont to a 2-0 win over Maine Thursday evening in America East action from a wet and rainy Mahaney Diamond in Orono. With the win UVM improves to 4-5-1 this season and 1-2-0 in league play.

COACH'S QUOTE
"This was a huge team effort tonight to come out with three points on the road," Head Coach Kristi Huizenga said. "Lydia and our backs were solid all day to preserve the shutout and we were able to create enough quality chances to capitalize on two. We are looking forward to getting back home Sunday."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Basa opened the scoring for the Catamounts in the 11th minute. Off a free kick from Maine's goalkeeper Kira Kutzinski Basa forced a turnover around midfield and put the Black Bears defenders on their heels with her pace. She cut from left to right before placing a shot just inside the post for her third goal of the season.
• Minutes later Basa almost doubled the Vermont lead with a similar play in the Maine defense. With a poor touch by a Maine back Basa was in alone and took a shot on the volley that Kutzinski made a diving save on.
• In the opening five minutes of the second half Maine earned a free kick just outside the box. Maine's Julia Maloney took her chance and UVM's Lydia Kessel punched the ball just over the bar.
• Minutes later UVM doubled its advantage in transition. On a three-on-three Basa drew the defenders to her and Bailey Ayer. Basa appeared to play a feed to Ayer in the box but Ayer let the ball run through her legs to an open space. Alyssa Oviedo took that space and one-touched the ball just under the bar for her team-leading third goal of the season.
• With 18:03 left in regulation Kessel was called upon to make another key stop to preserve the win. In traffic Maine's Emma Donovan got a shot away that was headed for the post before a diving Kessel parried it aside.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Thursday evening was Vermont's second clean sheet of the 2021 campaign. It was Lydia Kessel's first shutout of the season and fourth of her career.
• 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 to Virtue Field on Sunday, October 3 to face conference foe NJIT at 12 p.m. The America East battle will be a part of the Morgan Stanley Peter Baldwin Community Youth Soccer Weekend. Following the game fans of all ages are invited to take place in a postgame Kick with the Cats. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMAthletics.com/Tickets or at the Gutterson Fieldhouse Box Office on gameday.  The action will also stream live on AmericaEast.TV.