DURHAM, N.H – The sixth seed Catamounts used two second half goals and survived a late surge to upset three seed New Hampshire 2-1 in Durham, New Hampshire on a rain soaked Monday night. With the victory, UVM clinched a spot in the America East Semifinals on Thursday, November 2 at No. 2 Maine.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)
CatamounTV Highlights
America East Championship Central
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"We're extremely proud of this group for our play tonight," said head coach Kristi Huizenga. "Our men's team was out in full force as well as our fans and it created a special atmosphere for this road playoff game. New Hampshire is a very solid defensive team, so we were definitely happy to get two goals in the run of play. Erin was excellent in goal and our team defense as a whole was very solid. We didn't like how our game against Maine ended earlier this year and are excited to have that rematch in the semifinal."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The two teams battled throughout the first half with Sally Rainey and Erin Murphy each making five saves for their side.
• Vermont's best chance in the first half came on a corner in the 22nd minute but Karen Wallace's header bounced just outside the post. New Hampshire's top opportunity came eight minutes later when they got a direct free kick from about 25 yards out. However, Alivia Kelly's shot sailed high, and the two teams went into halftime scoreless.
• The Catamounts got the scoring started in the 55th minute when Jill Brody received a pass in midfield from Alyssa Oviedo. Brody deked to the right past her defender and sped forward before firing a low hard shot, from 30 yards out, into the lower left corner of the net past a diving Rainey (eight saves).
• After a turnover in the left corner in the 75th minute Vermont doubled their lead. Tessa Weiss secured the steal and sent a low probing cross to Lauren DeGroot who was able to send a shot into the right netting past the outstretched goalkeeper.
• New Hampshire threw numbers forward in the final 15 minutes forcing Murphy into another big save. However, finally in the 89th minute the Wildcats finally were able to break through on a corner kick. Meghan Guarente sent a long cross into the box where Megan Logue connected with a header to give the game its final score of 2-1.

 
INSIDE THE SCORE

• Brody scored her third goal of the season.
• DeGroot put home her fourth goal on the campaign and her first game-winning goal. Her four goals is tied for ninth in America East. She also registered a career-high seven shots and six shots on goal. 
• Weiss and Oviedo each registered their first assist in the campaign.
• Murphy registered six saves for the Catamounts to earn her seventh win of the season.
• The Catamounts doubled the Wildcats 8-4 in corner kicks and outshot UNH 20-18.

 
WHO'S NEXT
With tonight's victory, the Catamounts clinched a spot in the America East Semifinals on Thursday, November 2. Vermont will face second seeded Maine in Orono, Maine. The start time for that matchup is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.