ORONO, MAINE – Vermont fell 3-2 on the road against Maine in a back-and-forth battle on Sunday afternoon in their America East season opener. With the loss the Catamounts fall to 5-3-0 (0-1-0 AE) and with the victory the Black Bears remain unbeaten improving to 6-0-3 (1-0-0 AE).
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"We are disappointed to lose the lead twice," said Head Coach Kristi Huizenga. "We had to work pretty hard to adapt to the field condition and put ourselves in a great spot to come out of this road game with points, but failed to close the game. We are eager to get back to work."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Black Bears dominated possession to start the game creating four corners and five shots in the first 24 minutes of the game, but the Catamounts defense held firm.
• Bailey Ayer came up with a crucial defensive save in the 14th minute off a shot from Emma Schneider to help keep the score at 0-0.
• Maine had a counterattack in the 24th minute where Abby Kraemer got loose on a breakaway, but Kylee Carafoli made a diving save to her right to keep the score level.
• Vermont responded pushing forward late in the second half. Aubrey Bough helped break the tie when she was able to settle the ball in her own end and send a long pass forward to Lauren DeGroot. A Maine defender collided with their own goalkeeper and DeGroot was able to corral the pass for an open net goal to put Vermont up 1-0 in the 39th minute.
• To start the second half Abby Kraemer scored her America East leading eighth goal of the season for Maine in the 46th minute to tie the score up at 1-1.
• In the 77th minute Vermont got a breakaway chance when Ayer collected the ball just past midfield and sent a perfectly weighted through-ball to DeGroot. DeGroot took a touch, beat the goalkeeper to the right, and sent shot past a defender into the lower left corner of the net to give Vermont a 2-1 lead.
• However, Maine pressed forward countering with two goals in the 88th minute to secure a 3-2 victory. Luise Reinwald scored on a corner sent in from Kristina Kelly. Then 16 seconds later Kelly sent a through ball to Jordane Pinette for the game-winning goal.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Lauren DeGroot recorded her first career brace for Vermont.
• Carafoli registered five saves for the Catamounts.
• Bough recorded the second assist of her career.
• With her fifth assist of the season Ayer moved into a tie for the America East lead.

 
WHO'S NEXT
Following Sunday's game, the Catamounts will return to Virtue Field to finish their non-conference schedule against Siena on Wednesday, September 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Brian McLaughlin on the call. The game will also be available through international stream on AmericaEast.TV.
 
RALLY AROUND MENTAL HEALTH
Wednesday's matchup will be the Catamounts annual Rally Around Mental Health game presented by Redstone. Fans who purchase a ticket for Tuesday night's men's soccer matchup against Siena will receive a free ticket to Wednesday's game. In addition, the first 300 fans to stop by the marketing table will get a 2023 Women's Soccer Schedule poster.