HAMDEN, Conn. – Quinnipiac scored two second half goals to pull away from Vermont in a 3-1 decision Wednesday afternoon from the Quinnipiac Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium. With the win the Bobcats improved to 4-0-0, matching their best start since 2012, while the Catamounts fell to 3-2-0.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score (.pdf)
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"This was a tough game on the road for us today," Head Coach Kristi Huizenga said. "In the first half, the style of soccer from both teams was exciting and even. In the second half, they scored a PK and on a deflection and sometimes that's the game. We have a busy week of games before we kickoff conference next weekend and our priority will be staying healthy and preparing for that."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts had the best two chances in the early going. In the 17th minute Bailey Ayer sent a through ball into Cricket Basa who was cutting towards the net. With two defenders on her Basa's shot was caught by Quinnipiac's Meagan Phillips.
• In the 26th minute Basa had another opportunity after Ella Bankert forced a turnover deep in the Bobcats end. Bankert intercepted a Quinnipiac pass and chipped the ball with pace into the box. A diving header from Basa just missed the post.
• Minutes later the Bobcats opened the scoring. In transition UVM's Lydia Kessel made an initial point blank save on reigning MAAC Offensive Player of the Week Rebecca Cooke but the rebound was stashed home by Courtney Chocol in the 33rd minute.
• Vermont's Alyssa Oviedo equalized for the Catamounts in the 40th minute. Ella Bankert fired a shot from deep that Phillips was unable to control and Oviedo pounced on the loose ball and tucked it home for her second goal of the season. It was the only time a team has scored on the Bobcats in the first half this season.
• In the 60th minute the Bobcats were awarded a penalty after a Quinnipiac shot attempt glanced off a UVM defender in the box. Selena Salas stepped up and fired a hard shot to Kessel's right for her third goal of the season.
• The Bobcats closed out the contest with an insurance marker in the 83rd minute. Ella Gagno intercepted a Vermont clearing attempt and the ensuing deflection turned into a perfect shot from 40 yards out to seal the win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Catamounts offense has scored in each of its first five games for the first time since 2017. In 2017 UVM scored in each of its first seven contests on their way to a nine-win campaign and the program's first-ever America East title game appearance.
• With the win, this afternoon Quinnipiac is now 3-2-0 all-time against the Catamounts, they've won the last two contests with UVM.
• With her goal this afternoon Alyssa Oviedo took over the team lead in scoring with five points on two goals and one assist.

WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts are back in action Friday night at Virtue Field as they host Army in non-conference action. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on AmericaEast.TV.

Fans attending Friday's match can visit https://go.uvm.edu/21fall for updated COVID-19 protocols around attending athletic events at UVM. Regardless of vaccination status we are encouraging all fans to continue to wear face coverings while at UVM Athletics sporting events.