WOMEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
Vermont women's lacrosse begins the 2023 campaign on Friday (Feb. 10) when it visits Temple in Philadelphia. The opening draw is slated for 3 p.m. at Howarth Field. Friday's matchup will broadcast live on ESPN+.
 
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PRESEASON NO. 1
The Catamounts open the season as the America East favorites for the first time in program history. Vermont received four first-place votes and 34 total points in the America East Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Cats edged out UAlbany who had 3 first-place votes and 33 points.
 
TITLE DEFENSE
Vermont also enters the 2023 campaign as defending champions for the first time in program history. The Catamounts captured their first-ever America East Championship in 2022, defeating UAlbany 12-11 in a thrilling come-from-behind victory. UVM went on to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
WHO'S BACK
The Catamounts return ILWomen All-America Honorable Mentions, Ava Vasile and Carolyn Carrera for the 2023 season. Vasile set single-season records in goals (63) and points (79) in 2022. Defensively, Carrera forced an outstanding 2.89 caused turnovers per game, which ranked No. 2 in the nation. 2021 America East Goalkeeper of the Year, Sophie McLaughlin, returns in net for her fifth-season. The Catamounts also bring back two-time All-Conference member Camille Argentieri.
 
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Temple is receiving votes in the IWLCA National Poll to open the 2023 campaign. The Owls were picked No. 4 in the American Athletic Conference Coaches' Poll after finishing with an 11-6 (4-1 AAC) mark in 2022. Temple suffered an 11-10 loss to Vanderbilt in the AAC Semifinals. Belle Mastropietro was named AAC Preseason Midfielder of the Year, and was joined by Mackenzie Roth on the Preseason All-Conference Team.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Vermont and Temple will meet for the first time in series history on Friday afternoon. The Catamounts are 1-3 against current members of the AAC, with their lone victory coming against East Carolina (W, 18-9) in 2019.
 
HOME OPENER
UVM begins the season with three-straight road games before its home opener against Fairleigh Dickinson on Feb. 26. The matchup between the Cats and the Knights will begin at 12 p.m. at Virtue Field.