The clock ticking down from 10 marked the end of the second overtime for Vermont in the America East semifinals against the University of Maine Blackbears, with zeroes across the scoreboard.
Despite the windchill, over 150 fans filled Moulton Winder Field for the reigning conference champions’ first playoff game on Nov. 4. Finishing the regular season with a 4-1 record, Vermont bypassed the first elimination round and have home-field advantage throughout the tournament.
In their October matchup, Vermont beat Maine 4-1 but the Cats’ 1-0 semifinal win came less easily. A scoreless 60 minutes required two 10-minute, sudden-death overtime periods.
The extra time wasn’t enough, despite a penalty corner for Maine with 38 seconds. A one-on-one shootout was the last option remaining, in which the Cats went 3-1.
Shootout goals came from first-year midfielder and forward Gabby Santini, first-year midfielder Veerle Nijhuis, and junior forward Consu de Castro. However, it was sophomore goalkeeper Merle Vaandrager who kept Vermont in the game with three aggressive saves to end the shootout.
Nijhuis was named America East Field Hockey Rookie of the Year, alongside Vaandrager being named America East Goalkeeper of the Year, among other honors given to the team.
After the game, Vaandrager reacted to the double overtime and shootout win.
“There’s so much trust in the team. I feel like we played a really good game,” she said.
Maine drew nine penalty corners, three coming in overtime, after penalties were dolled out to Vermont’s defense within their circle.
Despite no prior shootouts this season, goalkeeper Vaandrager was confident going into this one.
“We’ve practiced a lot of shootouts, especially with Ila [Gunner], our second goalie,” she said. “We’re both so good in [shootouts], and making sure that we keep leveling up and work harder for each other. I think that’s helped a lot.”
Head coach Kate Pfeifer, who was named in the America East Field Hockey Coaching Staff of the Year, praised her upperclassman.
“You can’t really build on last year’s success if you don’t have a key group of returners who are doing the things, exerting their leadership, being role models, and speaking about what we need to do to make it happen,” she said.
Team captains Ainsley Hubbard, a senior defender, and Sophia Lefranc, a senior midfielder, had a particularly decisive impact.
“This team is a special one and they have been here before. They wanted to get back. There’s a real sense of pride in being able to play at home in Vermont and they found a way to do it today, against all odds,” Pfeifer said.
For the first time in program history, the Cats are the regular season champions, clinching the top playoff seed in the conference tournament.Vermont will host the University of New Hampshire Wildcats in the America East championship this afternoon — the first time the Cats have hosted a field hockey tournament final in school history. It’s a rematch for both teams, who met in the 2024 finals hosted by New Hampshire.
