Box Score Boxscore

Burlington, Vt. – The UMBC women's soccer team suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Vermont Catamounts in their America East Conference opener on Sunday afternoon at Virtue Field.

UMBC (6-3-2, 0-1 AE) nearly opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Sophomore midfielder Zoe Brossman delivered a curling cross from the right flank intended for senior Payton Schenning, who made a well-timed run into the box. However, Schenning narrowly missed connecting with the cross as the ball skimmed just over her head.

Vermont (3-4-2, 1-0 AE) responded with a stunning surge, netting two goals in a 42-second span to seize a 2-0 advantage.

Aubrey Bough broke the deadlock at 16:21, scoring Vermont's first goal. Emma Watson lofted a short corner into a crowded penalty area, where the ball pinballed off several players before Bough pounced and slotted her shot past UMBC goalkeeper Amara Codd (six saves) from close range.

Just moments later, Vermont capitalized on a defensive turnover by UMBC. Eleni Stowell gathered the loose ball and unleashed a powerful strike from 30 yards, sending it arching into the upper left corner, just beyond Codd's outstretched hands for the eventual game-winner.

UMBC responded swiftly in the 23rd minute. Freshman forward Brooke Clagett burst down the left wing, forcing a corner kick with her pace. On the ensuing set piece, Schenning arced a precise delivery to the heart of the box, where sophomore defender Hailey Ahmed rose unmarked and nodded the ball cleanly into the center of the net. It was Ahmed's second tally of the season and Schenning's first helper.

Vermont extended their lead in the 55^th minute. Bough whipped a dangerous ball to the far post, where Della Weir slid in and finished from just three yards out.

With nine minutes remaining, UMBC created one last promising chance. Freshman Bryce Sarver delivered a dangerous cross into the area for sophomore Cami Mink, who directed a close-range header on target, but Vermont goalkeeper Sophia King (four saves) denied it with a save.

The Retrievers were outshot 14-7, and the Catamounts attempted four corner kicks compared to three by the visitors.

UMBC will host New Hampshire next Sunday at 1:00 p.m.