December 14th 2024.
The Vermont men's soccer team has been on an incredible journey during the NCAA Tournament, proving that they are not just underdogs, but fierce competitors. Despite being nicknamed the Catamounts, they have shown that they have the tenacity of dogs, never giving up and always ready to pounce on any opportunity to score.
In their recent game against the University of Denver Pioneers, Vermont demonstrated their strength and determination. Even though they suffered a 1-1 loss, they never lost hope and continued to fight until the very end. The Pioneers, on the other hand, had their dreams of a title shattered right before their eyes.
It could have been a different story, had senior forward Oje Ofunrein's three headers been just a few inches closer to the goal, or if Trevor Wright's header had not hit the crossbar in the 6th minute. And let's not forget the missed opportunity due to a player obstructing the referee's view during a corner kick. The Pioneers were so close, yet so far.
But Vermont was not going to let this chance slip away. In the 78th minute, midfielder Sam Bassett scored a stunning goal from an unlikely angle, securing the lead for his team. However, they knew that being up a goal with just a few minutes left on the clock was not a guaranteed win.
In a surprising turn of events, Vermont's only shot on goal, thanks to a chested touch and a point-blank finish from redshirt senior Yaniv Bazini, sealed their victory. Both teams fought hard in the two 10-minute overtimes, but it all came down to penalties. Vermont was flawless, while Denver's Trevor Wright was once again denied by the crossbar, and their captain Ben Smith's shot was saved.
The Catamounts have certainly earned their spot in the College Cup, after defeating San Diego, Pittsburgh, and now Denver. And their journey is far from over as they await the winner of the Ohio State vs. Marshall game. This team has shown that they have what it takes to go all the way, and they are not afraid of the pressure. They are ready to bring home a national championship.
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