The University of Vermont women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 59-49 exhibition victory over Saint Michael’s College on Wednesday, overcoming a halftime deficit to assert their Division I presence at Patrick Gymnasium. While exhibition games are often viewed as mere tune-ups, the competitive nature of this matchup offered a clear preview of the defensive identity the Catamounts intend to carry into the 2026-27 season.
The contest was far from a mismatch, despite the gap in divisional classification. Saint Michael’s College, coming off a season that saw them earn their first NCAA Division II Tournament bid, proved they could go toe-to-toe with an America East powerhouse for significant stretches of the game. According to a report from Saint Michael’s College, the Purple Knights actually held the lead at the intermission, thanks to a clutch performance from sophomore Natalie Beaudoin, who drilled a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the teams into the break with a 29-26 advantage.
A Battle of Momentum at Patrick Gymnasium
The opening frames were defined by high-level perimeter shooting and rapid lead changes. Saint Michael’s wasted no time establishing their presence, using triples from senior Bella Franchi and junior Margaret Montplaisir to jump out to an early 8-2 lead. The Purple Knights maintained control for more than eight minutes of the first quarter, but the University of Vermont remained composed, eventually tying the game at 11 before the first break.
The second quarter saw the intensity ramp up. The teams traded the lead four times in just over a minute of play. Beaudoin continued her efficient night, pushing Saint Michael’s to a 19-15 lead by the eight-minute mark. However, Vermont’s graduate student Catherine Gilwee answered with a tying three-pointer, setting the stage for a physical battle in the paint. The tension peaked just before halftime when Beaudoin’s buzzer-beating shot gave the visitors a three-point cushion, momentarily silencing the home crowd.
The momentum shifted decisively in the third quarter. Gilwee sparked a 9-0 run for the Catamounts, including a banked-in jumper that broke a scoreless drought and pushed Vermont ahead 39-32. While Saint Michael’s attempted to claw back, Vermont’s defensive structure began to tighten, a hallmark of a program that ranked third nationally in scoring defense last season, holding opponents to just 52.2 points per game, as noted by uvmathletics.com.
The final stretch was decided by Vermont’s ability to execute during scoring droughts. Although Saint Michael’s kept the game within reach—narrowing the gap to eight points late in the fourth following a baseline jumper by senior Ashlee Talbot—a decisive 8-0 run led by sophomore Savanna Creal effectively iced the game for the Catamounts.
Statistical Leaders from the Exhibition
The box score highlights a clash of individual talents, with both programs relying on veteran leadership to navigate the pressure of the exhibition opener.
| Player | Team | Points | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catherine Gilwee | Vermont | 14 | 3 assists, 2 steals, 6-for-9 FG |
| Jacklynn Hosier | Vermont | 13 | 6 rebounds, 2 steals |
| Malia Lenz | Vermont | 12 | 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks |
| Margaret Montplaisir | Saint Michael’s | 12 | 5 assists, 2 steals |
| Bella Franchi | Saint Michael’s | 11 | 4 steals, 3-for-4 3PT |
| Natalie Beaudoin | Saint Michael’s | 8 | 4 rebounds, 2-for-5 3PT |
Defensive Identity and Preseason Expectations
For Vermont, this win serves as a validation of their preseason outlook. The Catamounts were picked to finish third in the 2026-27 America East Preseason Poll, earning 48 points and a first-place vote. That confidence is rooted in a roster that blends returning experience with significant new talent. Malia Lenz, a preseason All-Conference selection, demonstrated why she is a cornerstone of the program, contributing 12 points and 7 rebounds while anchoring the defense with two blocks.
The Catamounts are also integrating five newcomers, including transfers Arantxa Portalez and Meja Jaegerskog, alongside first-year players Neta Mayshar, Maisie Keyes, and Sienna Papanastasiou-Thomas. The cohesion of these new additions will be critical as they transition from exhibition play to the rigors of conference competition.
Saint Michael’s, meanwhile, enters the season with high expectations of its own. After finishing the previous year with a 15-14 record and securing a Division II Tournament bid, the Purple Knights are looking to build on their offensive rebounding prowess, having led the NE-10 in that category last season with an average of 13.1 per game. The ability of players like Montplaisir—who averaged 12.8 points per game last season—to lead the charge will determine how quickly the team finds its rhythm in regular-season play.
Beyond the hardwood, the event also served as a community touchstone. As reported by the University of Vermont, the game featured a ring ceremony to honor the 2025-26 championship team and a Windjammer Food Drive, which collected nonperishable items to benefit the South Burlington Food Shelf. This intersection of athletics and civic engagement highlights the role these programs play within the local Vermont landscape.
The Purple Knights will look to refine their offensive execution before their next scheduled contest on November 9 at Caldwell University.
Related reading
Henrico County Breaks Ground on Water Line and Road Projects
Henrico County is spending over $300 million to ensure its residents never again face the kind of systemic...
West Virginia’s 1993 Storm Was the Snowiest Halloween on Record
For most West Virginians, a white Halloween is a myth or a distant memory, but the record books...
Nebraska favorites over Washington in Halloween night matchup
The Nebraska Cornhuskers enter their Halloween night matchup against the Washington Huskies as 7.5-point favorites, according to current...
Vermont Statehouse Launches Haunted Ghost Tours in Montpelier
The Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier has launched haunted tours, transforming the historic seat of government into a seasonal...