STONY BROOK, N.Y. - The Vermont Catamounts overcame a 5-1 deficit by scoring six straight goals to close the first half and held on for an 11-9 victory at Stony Brook in America East women's lacrosse action on Saturday afternoon.
"I am very proud of the team. This was the best overall game we've played this season. We played hard for all 60 minutes and it was a total team effort against a very good Stony Brook team," said Vermont head coach Jen Johnson. "Our defense came up with some big stops to help us in the second half and our offense played with composure."
Stony Brook jumped out to a 5-1 lead on goals by five different players with 16:31 left in the first half. The Catamounts rallied scoring the final six goals of the first half, including three by
Kristen Millar (Whitby, Ontario). Millar's third tally of the run came with one second left on the clock before halftime and pushed UVM in front 7-5 at the break.
The Catamounts extended their lead to three, 9-6, on a goal by
Alison Haigh (Northborough, Mass.) at the 26:22 mark of the second half. The Seawolves scored three of the next four goals to trim the lead to one, 10-9, with 12:24 remaining in the game.
Sophomore
Sarah DeStefano (Eliot, Maine) converted a free position shot with 5:46 left to push Vermont ahead by two, 11-9, and senior goalie
Meaghan Hanley (Fort Pierce, Fla.) made a big save on a SBU free position shot with 33 seconds remaining to help preserve the win.
Millar finished the game with three goals and two assists, while DeStefano added two goals and two assists. Hanley was credited with eight saves in the Vermont net.
Kaitlin Leggo and Diana Caroleo posted four points each on two goals and two assists to lead Stony Brook. Jamie Carlson finished the day with six saves for the Seawolves.
Vermont improves to 5-2 overall and moves to 2-0 in America East action. The Catamounts are 2-0 in league play for the first time in the program's history and this was the first win over the Seawolves in Johnson's four seasons on the UVM sidelines. Stony Brook, who was picked to finish third in the America East Preseason Coaches' Poll, falls to 4-3 overall and 0-1 in America East.
The Catamounts return to action on Tuesday (March 25) when they host Harvard at Moulton Winder Field at 3:00pm. Tickets can be purchased at the gate and are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 17 and UVM faculty/staff. Admission is free for all UVM students with a valid school ID.
