In the club’s first-ever women’s match, Vermont Green FC tasted victory as they defeated FC Laval 2-1 via penalty kicks in front of a record-breaking crowd.
Mewis rolled out a 4-3-3 that featured Olivia Durbin in net. Giovanna Dionicio, Lexi Quinn, Roshann Purcell, and captain Olivia White made up the back line.
The midfield trio was made up by Brina Micheels, Maddie Landers, and Laney Ross while the attacking trio was comprised of Bailey Ayer, Neve Renwick, and Emma Wennar.
Laval had a solid start to the match as they excelled in transition. Luckily for Vermont the Canadian club was unable to convert.
But in the 11th minute, Renwick was able to connect on a long ball and was in 1-v-1 with the Laval keeper. She slammed the ball towards goal but the Laval keeper stood strong and made the save. The Canadian goalkeeper was called into action once again in the 29th minute as she made a kick save off of a corner kick. Renwick got another chance in stoppage time to score the first goal of the match but her shot went wide of the net.
Vermont found most of its success playing direct as Renwick was a strong No. 9 up top. The back line also deserves credit as they kept the in-form and in-season Canadian club to a clean sheet in the first half.
The Green came out of the half buzzing as they pressured the Canadian goalkeeper through the second half. Ayer was able to get a great chance but her shot flew over the bar. Laval would strike back moments later as Durbin was forced to make an impressive save.
Renwick continued to be the lifeblood of Vermont’s attack as she was constantly winning balls and getting in behind the opponent’s back line. Eventually she found the back of the net, scoring the first-ever goal in Vermont Green Women’s history.
But Laval fought back, upping the pressure and nearing a game-tying goal. In the 89th minute, the Canadian club ended up drawing even. With the blow of a whistle, the match was sent into PK’s.
After five rounds, Durbin made the first save of the penalty kick session to give The Green a chance to win the match. Roshann Purcell stepped up to the spot with the match on her shoulders and she didn’t flinch as she scored the penalty kick goal that would see Vermont win its first-ever Women’s match.
“And those girls were so brave to step up in that moment,” Mewis said after the match. “Olivia was so brave making a save at a crucial moment. Ro who scored that sixth kick wasn't in the top five, that was so courageous to say ‘I'll take it. I'll take the one that could decide the game,’ Neve did the same thing. It was really really incredible to watch.”
With the win, Mewis has an undefeated record as a head coach. The USMNT legend said that standing on the sidelines scratched an itch that she has had since retiring.
While retiring with an undefeated record might seem cool, Mewis didn’t rule out returning to the sidelines (though she currently hosts a podcast on Women’s Soccer so she is still staying involved in the game).
“Um, I don't know,” Mewis stated. I loved this. It was a crazy feeling like akin to watching the national team take penalty kicks at the Olympics like that's how I felt on the sideline. [It] Was this like intense stress but I think it is something I have been missing in my life a little bit, really caring so much about this moment and how it would affect the team. So I definitely enjoyed it, it was a wonderful experience and I would love to do more things like this.”
It was a historic night at Virtue Field but a night that hopefully will be repeated in the future. This is just the start of what will be a journey that leads to a pro women’s team in Vermont.
But for a first-ever match, it couldn’t have gone any better.