Stony Brook, N.Y. (March 22, 2008) – Kristen Millar and Kaitlyn Fuller had five of Vermont's six goals to end the first half as the Catamounts held on to defeat the Stony Brook women's lacrosse team, 11-9 at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Junior Kaitlin Leggio (Bay Shore, N.Y.) and senior Diana Caroleo (North Babylon, N.Y.) led Stony Brook with two goals apiece. Stony Brook is 4-3, 0-1 in America East play while Vermont is 5-2, 2-0.

Stony Brook came out of the gates early and often, taking a 5-1 lead with 16:31 remaining in the first half. Vermont answered and tied the game at five after Millar's second goal of the game. Fuller added her second goal of the game with 15 seconds left before Millar's tally with one second left in the half gave the Catamounts a 7-5 lead.

Leggio's goal with 27:48 to go in the second half cut the Catamounts' lead to just 7-6. Megan McDonald's goal with 21:25 left gave Vermont its second three-goal advantage of the game. The Seawolves answered with goals from Caroleo and senior Kristen Dupuis (Big Flats, N.Y.) to cut the deficit to just one but Vermont added a goal with 5:46 left to take a two-goal advantage.

Stony Brook is back in action next Saturday afternoon when it hosts American University. First draw control is scheduled for 1:00 pm.

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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.

2008-03-22