NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The No. 22 Yale women's lacrosse team has a challenging schedule in 2023, and it starts with game one. Defending America East Champions Vermont – coming off their first NCAA appearance – come to Reese on Saturday (1:00 p.m., ESPN+, International Stream, Live Stats) for the season opener.
 
Not Bad for Starters
Yale has won three of its last four season openers, including last season's 15-4 win in the snow vs. Sacred Heart. 
 
Returning All-Ivy
Four of the seven Bulldogs who earned All-Ivy League recognition in 2022 are back this season. Sophomore midfielder Taylor Lane (Norwalk, Conn.), senior attacker Olivia Penoyer (Manlius, N.Y.) and sophomore midfielder Fallon Vaughn (Concord, Mass.) were first team selections (Lane was unanimous). Sophomore midfielder Sky Carrasquillo (Alpharetta, Ga.) was a second team selection.
 
Tough Act to Follow
Last year's Yale team set the school records for goals (236), points (323) and draw controls (276). The Bulldogs' 11 overall wins were their most since winning 11 in 2008. They tied the school record for Ivy wins in a season (six), finishing in second place and earning a spot in the Ivy League Tournament for the first time. They went on to beat Cornell in the semifinals for the first Ivy Tournament win in school history. 
 
Coaching Staff Remains Intact
This is Yale's eighth year under Erica Bamford, Yale's Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse. Assistant coaches Molly Palella and Colleen Smith are back for their sixth and seventh years, respectively. 
 
Scouting Vermont
Vermont (0-1, 0-0 America East) opened the season with a 10-5 loss at Temple Feb. 10. The Catamounts are the America East favorites for the first time in program history, having placed first in the America East Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Cats edged out UAlbany by one point in the poll.