Buffenbarger joined the field hockey coaching staff in the summer of 2024 after a five-year playing career at UVM. In her final three years, she served as captain for the Catamounts.
In her second season as an assistant, Vermont secured its first regular-season title, advanced to its second straight America East Championship, and hosted the America East Playoffs for the first time in program history. Following the end of the season, Pfeifer, McClendon, and Buffenbarger were named as the Coaching Staff of the Year – also for the first time in program history.
In 2025, Buffenbarger worked extensively with the goalkeepers. Vermont ranked 17th nationally in shutouts per game with a 0.32 mark. Merle Vaandrager led the America East with a 1.44 goals-against average and four shutouts, while ranking second in save percentage with a 75.9 mark. Following the season, Vaandrager earned All-Conference First Team honors and was named Goalkeeper of the Year for the America East.
During her first season, the Catamounts captured their first America East title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. Vermont finished the season tied for eighth nationally with eight shutouts and ranked 24th in save percentage. Vaandrager led the conference with a 1.11 goals-against average, six shutouts, and a save percentage of 78.9. Following the season, Vaandrager was named to the All-Tournament Team and All-Rookie Team.
During her career at UVM, Buffenbarger minored in coaching. She ranks second in program history with 81 career games played, totaling seven goals and nine assists. She helped lead the Catamounts to back-to-back America East playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023 after a three-year playoff hiatus. Buffenbarger earned the program’s Catamount Grit Award in 2020 and 2023, which is given to the athlete who demonstrated remarkable work ethic and commitment to being mentally and physically tough. She was also named to the America East All-Tournament Team in both 2022 and 2023. Buffenbarger is a native of Leesburg, Va.