BURLINGTON, VT – During a rain-soaked Sunday afternoon the Catamounts fell 3-2 in a back-and-forth battle with NJIT in their annual Senior Day Game presented by UVM Health Advantage. With the loss the Catamounts fall to 8-6-1 overall and 2-4-1 in America East while the Highlanders improve to 7-5-5 overall and 3-3-1 in America East play.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"We are very disappointed with today's result and defensive performance," said head coach Kristi Huizenga. "It was not the level that we expect. Our prep was very good all week and we failed the mission under pressure. Fortunately, we have excellent leaders on this team, and we know there will be a positive response to this setback."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• NJIT got the scoring started in the 30th minute to take a 1-0 lead when Kelsey Ramos was able to collect the ball on the throw in and send a pass across the box to the far side where Briana Andreoli was able to collect the ball just outside the six yard box and fire a shot past Erin Murphy into the lower left corner.
• Over the final 15 minutes of the half the two teams battled back-and-forth, but the Highlanders were able to carry the 1-0 lead into halftime.
• To start the second half the Catamounts came out aggressive clicking on all cylinders and were able to tie the score at 1-1 just 2:13 into the second half. Bailey Ayer scored into the lower left corner past the outstretched goalkeeper into the side netting to tie the score at 1-1 in the 48th minute. Sydney Remington was able to dummy up a pass on the cross sent in from Lauren DeGroot and Ayer sent a two-touch the score into the back of the net.
• Within moments the Highlanders retaliated with a quick score on Andreoli's second goal of the afternoon, to regain the lead. Corbin Reifschneider sent a cross into the box where Andreoli was waiting, but her first shot was saved by Erin Murphy. On the rebound Andreoli was able to bury the shot into the lower right side of the net and give NJIT a 2-1 lead.
• After a deflection in the 53rd minute Jill Brody corralled the ball outside the 18-yard box and beat her defender with a touch to the right before she was able to launch a floating shot from outside the box into the right-side netting, for the Catamounts to tie the score at 2-2.
• Less than 10 minutes later the Highlanders capitalized on a Catamount mistake and Kelsey Ramos was able to fire a shot low right on an assist from Aleesha Deshmukh to put NJIT up 3-2 in the 61st minute.
• Despite the Catamounts throwing players forward they were unable to find an equalizer and the Highlanders were able to hold on to a 3-2 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Brody was tied for the Catamounts lead with five total shots and three shots on goal including a goal scored.
• Ayer also had five shots and three shots on goal with a goal scored for Vermont.
• DeGroot registered the loan assist for the Catamounts in the game for her second of the season.
• Murphy made four saves for Vermont.
• Vermont outshot NJIT 21-9 with an 11-7 shots on goal advantage.

WHO'S NEXT
Following today's matchup with the Highlanders, the Catamounts will travel to take on UAlbany in a pivotal America East battle, at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium in Albany, on Thursday, October 26th for their regular season finale. The start time for that game is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+. The game will also be available on AmericaEast.TV for the international stream.