WOMEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
Vermont (5-6, 2-2 AE) begins a stretch of back-to-back non-conference games when it hosts Rutgers on Saturday (Apr. 15) at Virtue Field. The opening draw is set for 12 p.m. ET, and will broadcast live on ESPN 3. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by visiting the Gutterson Fieldhouse Box Office on gameday. Saturday is Youth Day, presented by Healthy Living. Kids 12 and under can receive a free ticket to the game.
 
RELATED LINKS
Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
 
PROMOTIONS
Saturday is also Poster Day presented by UVM Print and Mail. Fans can stick around after the game for autographs. Saturday marks the Cats' Rally Around Mental Health and Morgan's Message Game. Rally Around Mental Health is an initiative that was created to help increase awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health. Morgan's Message aims to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone.
 
VANESSA COX MEMORIAL GAME
UVM will host its annual "Vanessa Cox #23 Memorial Game" on Saturday to honor the late Vanessa Cox '05. Head coach Sarah Dalton Graddock will select one player to wear Cox's No. 23 jersey. A UVM Athletic Hall of Fame inductee in 2015, Cox was tragically killed in a car crash in February of 2015 at the age of 31.
 
CLIMBING THE ALL-TIME RECORD BOOK
Ava Vasile has recently cracked the top five on several of the program's all-time lists. The senior ranks No. 4 all-time in goals (148) and No. 5 in points (180). Vasile is third all-time in draw controls (178). The midfielder set single-season records in goals (63) and points (79) in 2022.
 
VASILE'S NUMBERS LAST TIME OUT
Ava Vasile matched a career-high seven points to lead Vermont over New Hampshire (W, 16-13) on Saturday at Virtue Field. The senior recorded five goals, and tallied a career-high 15 shots. Vasile registered season-highs in goals, assists, points, shots, shots on goal, caused turnovers, and ground balls.
 
ANOTHER WEEKLY HONOR FOR JANE
Jane Trauger was named America East Rookie of the Week for a league-best third time this season. The first-year tallied five points in the 16-13 win over New Hampshire on Saturday. Trauger scored three times in the fourth quarter, including the tying and winning goals for the Catamounts.
 
SCOUTING THE SCARLET NIGHTS
Rutgers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 12-6 victory over No. 6 Stony Brook on Wednesday night. Cassidy Spilis led the Scarlet Knights with five points (4 goals, 1 assist) in the win. The midfielder leads Rutgers in goals (34) and ranks No. 2 in points (36). Marin Hartshorn has a team-high 41 points on 25 goals and 16 assists. On the defensive end, Meghan Ball leads the nation in caused turnovers per game (3.92), one spot ahead of Vermont's Carolyn Carrera (3.55). Sophia Cardello has earned starts in all 12 games as goalkeeper for Rutgers, posting a 10.66 goals against average and .477 save percentage.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Vermont and Rutgers meet for the third time in series history and the first time since 1995. The series is tied at 1-1, with each team earning road victories.