The UVM field hockey team had a successful opening game in the third annual Sheraton Catamount Classic, defeating #15 Ohio State by a 3-2 margin.

Junior Megan Maynard proved to be the star of the game for the Catamounts, scoring the team’s first two goals, and providing the assist for senior Lauren Burke’s game-winning goal with 24.7 seconds remaining.

With the victory, only their second ever over a ranked opponent, Vermont improved its record to 2-2 on the season.

The Catamounts came out firing early with Maynard scoring a rebound goal twelve minutes into the game, but the Buckeyes were quick to answer with a goal of their own two minutes later.

OSU struck again at the 37-minute mark, creating a 2-1 deficit for the Cats.

As the clock neared 46 minutes however, Maynard answered the call with her third goal of the season, assisted by senior Kim Striegler.

The score stayed knotted up at two until Burke fired a shot home from five yards out, sealing the victory for the upset-minded Catamounts.

“Today was the second time this year that we really stepped on the field and everyone believed n each other,” head coach Nicki Houghton said.

Vermont looks to be continuing a victorious trend in the annual tournament held at Moulton Winder Field, as they were crowned champions in the first annual Sheraton Classic, followed by a split of the classic last year, when the Catamounts fell 2-1 to national powerhouse Virginia.

Following the victory over Ohio State, the only potential roadblocks to a UVM tournament championship were Maine and Monmouth, but the Cats appear ready to take on all comers after their inspiring upset victory on Day One.

Thanks to the OT goal by freshman Mackenzie Williams, the Lady Cats recorded a 2-1 victory over visiting Monmouth in the final game of the Classic on Sunday afternoon.

As the only undefeated team in the Classic, the Catamounts earned the title of tournament champions.

The win was Vermont’s third straight as the team improves to 3-2 on the season.