WOMEN'S LACROSSE NOTEBOOK
Vermont (6-6, 1-3 AE) hosts UMBC (8-4, 3-1 AE) in the Rally Around Mental Health Game presented by Redstone on Saturday (Apr. 13) at Virtue Field. The opening draw is set for 12 p.m. ET and will broadcast live on ESPN+. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by visiting the Gutterson Fieldhouse Box Office on gameday.
 
RELATED LINKS
Purchase Tickets
Watch: ESPN+ | AE.TV (Int'l)
Live Stats
 
RALLY AROUND MENTAL HEALTH
Redstone Commons, Redstone Lofts, and Spinner Place proudly support UVM Athletics and the United Way of Northwest Vermont in spreading awareness around mental health issues for students, student-athletes, and members in our UVM community. United Way of Northwest Vermont brings together local people to solve local problems, by working with government, businesses, nonprofits, and community members like you to make change possible, including improving Vermonters' timely access to mental health services. Now more than ever, we need to come together to strengthen mental health resources for ourselves and our neighbors. United Way is honored to partner with UVM Athletics and Redstone Student Housing to raise awareness and increase access to mental health resources for student athletes and the larger community. Text UVMRally to 24365 or click here to donate now!
 
VANESSA COX MEMORIAL GAME
Saturday is also the Vanessa Cox Memorial Game to honor the late Vanessa Cox '05. Head Coach Sarah Dalton Graddock has selected Erin Kloostra 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.
 
POSTER DAY
Saturday's game is also Poster Day. Fans will receive a free UVM women's lacrosse poster and are encouraged to stick around postgame to get them signed by the Catamounts.
 
LOOKING FOR A BOUNCE BACK
Vermont is looking to snap a three-game skid Saturday against UMBC. The Cats have suffered losses to UAlbany (L, 17-7), Binghamton (L, 10-9), and Bryant (L, 21-10) during that stretch.
 
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
The Catamounts need a victory on Saturday to keep their playoff odds alive. A loss to the Retrievers and a Bryant win over UMass Lowell would eliminate UVM from qualifying for the America East Tournament.
 
AVA'S RECORD HUNT
Ava Vasile needs three points to tie, or four points to set the career program record. The graduate student currently trails Sydney Mas '14 who recorded 255 career points. Vasile is also chasing Mas in career goals, with 204 goals to Mas' 218.
 
SCOUTING THE RETRIEVERS 
UMBC is coming off a three-game conference win streak and a big win this past Saturday against UAlbany (W, 12-11). They are currently 3-1 in conference, putting them in first place in America East. Their other defeats were to UMass Lowell (W, 14-12) and UNH (W, 13-8). Attacker, Grace Bruce, leads her team in points this season (46) with 43 goals and three assists. She is second in the conference and 25th nationally in goals per game. Not far behind her is attacker, Kolby Weedon (28 goals, 12 assists). Sophomore defender, Emily Renehan, was named the America East Defensive Player of the Week on Monday (Apr. 8). She recorded three ground balls and four caused turnovers in their win against UAlbany. 
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Vermont is 5-7 overall against UMBC. The Catamounts have won the past two matchups against the Retrievers. The Catamounts won 16-8 at Virtue Field in 2022 – the last time they hosted the Retrievers. Vermont came back from a seven-goal deficit to win 12-10 in last year's matchup in Baltimore. Ava Vasile scored five goals, Ciera Licare added a pair, and Jane Trauger, McKenzie Ballard, and Claire Adelhelm each added a tally. 
 
THREE-GAME HOME-STAND
After being on the road for nine out of the twelve games played this season, Vermont will finally get to play three straight games at home, starting with Saturday's matchup against UMBC. They will host Le Moyne on Wednesday (April 17) and host their final home game of the season on April 21 against Rutgers.