UVM women’s soccer wins conference title

UVM women’s soccer (10-5-1, 7-2) won the America East regular season title for the second time in program history and the first in 25 years on Oct. 24.

The Catamounts are the top seed in the conference tournament. They will play at home as they look to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time.

They will host a semifinal match at Virtue Field at 6 p.m. on Nov. 4, according to the America East website.

UVM clinched the title after a 3-1 victory over the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

In their final regular season game Oct. 28, they defeated the University of New Hampshire 3-0.

The Catamounts enter the conference tournament on a seven-game winning streak, their longest since 1979, according to an Oct. 29 UVM athletics post.

Vermont lost their first two conference games before the winning streak. They have scored two or more goals in each of the seven games.

“We wanted to keep the momentum going into playoffs,” senior midfielder Alexa Mihale said. “This game meant a lot.”

The title is especially significant for the 10 seniors on the roster, Mihale said

 “We all get along so well, and I think it contributes to the way we perform on the field and we’re just killing it,” Mihale said. “It’s awesome to be a part of this team.”

Winning the title is a historic moment for the team and the school.

Head Coach Kristi Huizenga, now in her 11th season, steadily improved the team since taking the job in 2011.

UVM qualified for the conference tournament in nine of her 11 seasons.

“It means a lot to be the coach of this team,” Huizenga said. “There’s been a lot of other teams at this school that have won championships, and it’s just been so special to see that unfold for them, so to have it happening to us is amazing.”

The Catamounts feel prepared going into the conference tournament, Mihale said.

“I think we’re all so confident,” Mihale said. “We’re ready for the playoffs. We’re excited to win the whole thing.”

Huizenga said she shared the team’s enthusiasm.

“I think we’re going in with a lot of confidence,” she said. “The team has had a really good balance lately of having that confidence and having that expectation of winning but humbleness at the same time.”

UVM will host University at Albany in the semifinal. Albany defeated Binghamton University 2-0 in the quarterfinals Oct. 31.

The Catamounts defeated the Great Danes 2-0 in their regular season meeting  on Oct. 13.