ALBANY, NEW YORK — Vermont's resilience paid off Thursday night as the Catamounts rallied from a halftime deficit to edge UAlbany 2-1 in a defensive struggle at Casey Stadium. The visiting squad, riding a one-game winning streak, controlled the second half and found the breakthrough when Della Weir struck in the 47th minute to equalize before Aubrey Bough's go-ahead goal in the 55th minute sealed the comeback. The result extended Vermont's unbeaten run while UAlbany extended its winless streak to seven matches.
Flo Bartholomai gave the Great Danes an early advantage in the 13th minute, capitalizing on Vermont's defensive lapses to put UAlbany ahead. The hosts' early pressure suggested they might finally break through against a visiting team that had struggled to find consistency this season. Vermont, however, refused to panic, methodically building possession and creating chances throughout the first half despite trailing at the break.
Vermont's attacking intent became clear after the restart. Weir equalized in the 47th minute with a well-taken finish, drawing the Catamounts level and shifting momentum decisively in their favor. Just eight minutes later, Bough capitalized on the hosts' defensive vulnerability to put Vermont ahead 2-1. The goal proved to be the difference, as UAlbany never recovered from the quick succession of setbacks that unraveled their first-half advantage.
The second half belonged almost entirely to Vermont, which dominated possession and created far more dangerous opportunities than their hosts. Sydney Remington provided the assist on Weir's equalizer, showcasing the Catamounts' ability to execute in transition. UAlbany, meanwhile, managed just two shots on goal for the entire match, a stark contrast to Vermont's 12 attempts on target from 23 total shots.
Goalkeeper Kylee Carafoli made one crucial save late in the match to preserve Vermont's lead, denying Jill Linder's effort in the 78th minute. UAlbany's attack never found its rhythm, and the home side's inability to generate consistent pressure in the final third ultimately cost them. Vermont's defense tightened considerably after conceding early, limiting the Great Danes to minimal scoring chances.
The statistical disparity told the story of a match controlled by the visitors. Vermont earned three corner kicks to UAlbany's one, while outshooting the home team by a significant margin. The Catamounts' 12 shots on goal represented a far more clinical approach than their recent performances, suggesting they're beginning to find their rhythm as the season progresses.
For Vermont, the victory represents a crucial three points in their NCAA Tournament resume-building efforts. The Catamounts improved to 7-4-5 overall with the win, demonstrating the character needed to overcome adversity on the road. UAlbany, conversely, fell to 2-13-2 and faces mounting pressure to reverse its alarming downward trajectory before the season concludes.
Vermont returns home to face a conference opponent next week, looking to build on this road success. UAlbany must regroup quickly as it searches for answers to its defensive vulnerabilities and offensive inconsistency that have plagued the program throughout the fall campaign.