BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb women's lacrosse team (0-1) opened the 2024 season with a 20-6 loss to the University of Vermont (2-0) on Sunday afternoon at Spangler Stadium.
 
"Vermont is a very successful program from the America East Conference, being tabbed second in their conference's preseason poll," said Kathleen Mirgon Crum after coaching her first game in Boiling Springs. "We were excited to open up with this opportunity and be able to make in-game adjustments after the first quarter. The high level of play and competition will help set the tone for the strides forward our program will make internally and in conference play come March."
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs and Catamounts traded goals early in the first quarter. After Vermont took a 1-0 lead less than two minutes in, Emma Duchscherer answered with an unassisted goal to tie the game 1-1 with 9:16 to play in the first.
 
Moments later, after the Catamounts opened up a 3-1 lead, Duchscherer scored again to cut the deficit to one with 6:35 to play in the first quarter. However, Vermont answered by scoring 11 straight goals to lead 14-2 at halftime.
 
In the second half, Alera Cornett, Aimie Perino, Victoria Fischetti, and Rebecca Ferrina each scored for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
 
For the game, Vermont out shot Gardner-Webb 33-16 and led in draw controls 15-12.
 
The women's lacrosse team returns to action on Wednesday, February 14, at East Carolina University.