FINAL SCORE (OT): UMBC 1, Vermont 0
BURLINGTON, Vt. – The fourth-seed Vermont (5-6-7, 3-1-4 AE) women's soccer team saw its 2026 campaign come to an end Thursday evening during the America East quarterfinals, falling to the fifth-seeded UMBC (10-5-4, 3-3-2 AE) 1-0 in overtime from Virtue Field. An own goal in extra time proved to be the difference, sending the Retrievers to their first semifinal appearance in 12 years.
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
COACH'S QUOTE
"Yeah, obviously a really hard way to lose a game – golden-goal overtime, something we don't see all year" said Head Coach Kristi Huizenga. "We just felt like statistically and flow of the game really dominated and deserved a better result but that's soccer sometimes and it didn't go that way."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Catamounts maintained offensive pressure throughout the majority of the opening half, getting their first prime scoring opportunity in the 35th minute when Della Weir was able to corral the ball amidst chaos inside the six-yard box, putting a shot towards the center of the net, but UMBC's Olivia Nardone was on the line to block the shot, bailing her goalkeeper out and kicking the ball out of harm's way.
- Weir orchestrated another scoring chance in the 39th minute, taking a shot with her left foot to the bottom left corner while being well outside the 18-yard box, beating Amara Codd, but Weir's shot rang off the post as the match remained scoreless at 0-0.
- In the 81st minute, Vermont was awarded a set piece from outside the 18-yard box taken by Eleni Stowell. With numerous bodies in the box, Stowell took the kick and placed it perfectly on the head of Madeline Gardner who flicked a header to towards the right corner, but Codd was there to make the diving save, keeping the Catamounts off the scoreboard.
- After 90 full minutes of play, neither team was able to find the back of the net, sending the America East quarterfinal to overtime.
- Less than three minutes into overtime, the Catamounts conceded an own goal resulting in UMBC claiming the 1-0 overtime victory, ultimately advancing to the America East semifinal match.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Aubrey Bough recorded a game high nine shots pinning a game high two on goal.
- UVM outshot UMBC 20-3, putting five shots on target compared to the Retrievers' two.
- Vermont tallied seven corner kicks to UMBC's one.
For news and updates about the Vermont women's soccer program, follow @UVMwsoccer on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com.
East Rise Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont Women's Soccer
