Vermont Green FC wins its club’s first women’s game

In the club’s first ever women’s game, Vermont Green FC secured a win, defeating FC Laval 2-1 on penalties in front of a record crowd.

Mewis played a 4-3-3 formation with Olivia Durbin in goal and Giovanna Dionicio, Lexi Quinn, Roshann Purcell and captain Olivia White in defense.

The midfield trio consisted of Brina Micheels, Maddie Landers and Laney Ross, while the attacking trio consisted of Bailey Ayer, Neve Renwick and Emma Wennar.

Laval had a solid start to the game and excelled in transition. Fortunately for Vermont, the Canadian club was unable to convert.

But in the 11th minute, Renwick managed to get a long ball and was 1-on-1 with the Laval goalkeeper. She slammed the ball towards goal, but the Laval goalkeeper stood firm and saved. The Canadian goalkeeper had to intervene again in the 29th minute when she saved a corner kick. Renwick had another chance to score the first goal of the game in stoppage time, but her shot went wide of the net.

Vermont had the most success with direct play, with Renwick being a strong No. 9 up front. The defense also deserves credit for not forcing the in-form, on-season Canadian club to concede a goal in the first half.

The Greens came out of the first half on high note and put the Canadian goalkeeper under pressure in the second. Ayer had a great chance but her shot flew over the bar. Laval hit back moments later when Durbin was forced into an impressive save.

Renwick continued to be the lifeblood of Vermont’s attack as she continually won balls and got behind the opposition’s defense, eventually finding the back of the net to score the first goal in Vermont Green Women’s history.

But Laval fought back, increased the pressure and came close to equalizing. In the 89th minute, the Canadian club equalized. At the whistle, the game went to penalties.

After five rounds, Durbin saved the first penalty kick, giving the Green a chance to win the game. Roshann Purcell stepped up to the penalty spot with the game on her shoulders and didn’t even bat an eyelid as she scored the penalty goal that gave Vermont its first win in women’s play.

“And those girls were so brave to step in at that moment,” Mewis said after the game. “Olivia was so brave when she blocked a ball at a crucial moment. Ro, who scored the sixth shot, was not in the top five. It was so brave to say, ‘I’ll take it. I’ll take the one that could decide the game.’ Neve did the same. It was really incredible to watch.”

With this win, Mewis has an undefeated record as a head coach. The USMNT legend said that standing on the sidelines scratched an itch she had felt since retiring.

While it seems cool to retire with an undefeated record, Mewis hasn’t ruled out a return to the sidelines (though she currently hosts a podcast about women’s soccer, so she’ll stay connected to the game).

“Um, I don’t know,” Mewis said. “I loved it. It was a crazy feeling, kind of like watching the national team in the Olympics on penalties. That’s how I felt on the sidelines. (It) was such a huge stress, but I think that’s something I’ve been missing a little bit in my life, thinking so much about that 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 that.”

It was a historic night at Virtue Field, but one that will hopefully be repeated in the future. This is just the beginning of a journey that will lead to a professional women’s team in Vermont.

But for a very first game, it couldn’t have gone better.