The soccer season is approaching fast this fall, and one college team is already putting in the work this summer. The University of Vermont women’s soccer team is back at Virtue field training for the start of their season in just a bit over a week, looking to improve off a 2022 campaign picking up no wins in American East play. Six out of their ten losses in the regular season were also decided by one goal or less. Despite what happened last year, the Catamounts have adopted a new mindset to flip those losses into more wins in 2023. “Taking that experience knowing what it feels like to lose by one that sucks,” said Vermont graduate midfielder Frances O’Donnell. “We are trying to channel having less of that. The fuel that is being brought into this season, the energy, everyone wants it.” Just two years ago, Vermont earned an American East championship title, where most of their success stemmed from their scoring, leading the conference in goals (32). Their offense took a dip in 2022, finishing seventh in the conference, but Catamounts head coach Kristi Huizenga remains confident that this squad will bounce back in her 13th season at the helm. “Each group is so special and so unique to work with,” Huizenga said. “They are so driven, every year is kind of a new challenge. This year has been great so far and we are just excited to get going.” The Catamounts will also return most of their core upperclassmen leadership, including the return of midfielder Alyssa Oviedo from injury. The graduate midfielder finished 2021 as her squad’s leader in goals (6) and points (13). Entering her sixth season of college soccer, she says this year’s squad in a better spot despite her absence, giving the younger players on the roster to learn the ropes in enhanced starting roles last season. “I think there’s a lot to learn from last year’s season,” Oviedo said. “This season, we have a lot of motivation coming in to hopefully win a championship … a lot of younger players had to step up into leadership roles last season, so that was a great learning point for them.” Vermont will open its season on the road against Boston University on Aug. 17 at 6 p.m.
The soccer season is approaching fast this fall, and one college team is already putting in the work this summer.
The University of Vermont women’s soccer team is back at Virtue field training for the start of their season in just a bit over a week, looking to improve off a 2022 campaign picking up no wins in American East play.
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Six out of their ten losses in the regular season were also decided by one goal or less. Despite what happened last year, the Catamounts have adopted a new mindset to flip those losses into more wins in 2023.
“Taking that experience knowing what it feels like to lose by one that sucks,” said Vermont graduate midfielder Frances O’Donnell. “We are trying to channel having less of that. The fuel that is being brought into this season, the energy, everyone wants it.”
Just two years ago, Vermont earned an American East championship title, where most of their success stemmed from their scoring, leading the conference in goals (32). Their offense took a dip in 2022, finishing seventh in the conference, but Catamounts head coach Kristi Huizenga remains confident that this squad will bounce back in her 13th season at the helm.
“Each group is so special and so unique to work with,” Huizenga said. “They are so driven, every year is kind of a new challenge. This year has been great so far and we are just excited to get going.”
The Catamounts will also return most of their core upperclassmen leadership, including the return of midfielder Alyssa Oviedo from injury. The graduate midfielder finished 2021 as her squad’s leader in goals (6) and points (13). Entering her sixth season of college soccer, she says this year’s squad in a better spot despite her absence, giving the younger players on the roster to learn the ropes in enhanced starting roles last season.
“I think there’s a lot to learn from last year’s season,” Oviedo said. “This season, we have a lot of motivation coming in to hopefully win a championship … a lot of younger players had to step up into leadership roles last season, so that was a great learning point for them.”
Vermont will open its season on the road against Boston University on Aug. 17 at 6 p.m.
