Vermont Green FC defeated the Hudson Valley Crusaders 2-1 on Saturday evening to record their first USL W League win.
Blyth Braun started in net behind the backline of Chloe Gorman, Violet Rademacher, Brooke Birtwistle, and Bridget Kennedy. Georgina Clarke, Brenna Connell, and Isabel Smith made up the midfield trio while Emily Mara, Lauren Degroot, Tess Barrett were the three attackers up front.
It didn't take long for the first goal in Vermont's USL W League history to be scored. The Green forced a turnover 43 seconds into the game and 10 seconds later Clarke launched a shot towards goal that rocketed into the back of the net to give Vermont a 1-0 win.
The Green just seemed to be all over Hudson Valley. They were constantly causing turnovers and regaining possession from their opponents.
But Vermont's lead didn't last for long as Joy Okonye sent a bouncing shot on goal and it bounced off Braun's hands and Emmanuella Frimpomaa tapped home the rebound in the 7th minute.
In the 13th minute, Vermont had a great chance off a corner kick as a recycled ball found the head of Mara but Hudson valley's goalkeeper Brianne Macdonald made a great save to keep the score level.
Rademacher became the first player to receive a yellow card in the club's league history after taking down Frimpomaa in the 23rd minute.
Minutes later, the Green were able to regain the lead. In the 26th minute, Birtwistle sent a beautiful free kick into the box and Rademacher connected with a diving header to giver Vermont a 2-1 lead.
Mara had another chance on goal in the 36th minute and Macdonald made another great save to stop a Vermont goal. She then punched a looping ball a minute later to deal with the Green's attempt for a third goal.
The Green did a great job of limiting Hudson Valley's chances after allowing the lone goal. The backline and midfield were quick to win balls and dealt well with Hudson Valley's limited chances.
Entering the locker room at half, Vermont could feel pleased with its performance and was 45 minutes away from its first USL W League win.
In the 59th minute, Abby Carchio made her first change replacing Smith with Sydney Remington. Frimpomaa looked to find her second goal in the 60th minute but her shot sailed over the crossbar.
Up a goal, Vermont struggled to create chances and was under pressure from the Crusaders.
Remington was issued a yellow card in the 68th minute after taking down a Hudson valley player. The physicality of the game increased greatly after the card and Mara was issued a yellow card in the 70th minute.
Carchio made three changes in the 72nd minute as the attacking trio of Mara, Degroot, and Barrett were replaced by Annie Gnidula, Daisy Granholm, and Lily Gibbs. The final sub came in the 89th minute as Clarke was repalced by Melissa Garcia.
While under pressure for the majority of the second half, Vermont was able to hold on for the three points. The Green's next USL W League match is on Tuesday against the New England Mutiny in Ludlow, Massachusetts.
