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ALBANY, N.Y. – Bernard Yeboah's blast from 25 yards out with four minutes left in regulation lifted the No. 5-seeded Vermont Catamounts to a 2-1 victory over No. 4 Albany in the first round of the America East Tournament.
The Catamounts earn their first playoff win since 2008 and move on to face top-seeded UMBC in Baltimore on November 12 (7 p.m.). Vermont snaps a three-game losing streak and improves to 8-8-2 on the season. Albany ends its season at 4-9-6.
"This was a good performance. I'm happy and excited for the guys," said Vermont head coach
Jesse Cormier. "Their character was challenged when we went down a goal but the guys dug in. They responded well, with good passes, moved the ball and were dangerous. It's tough to go on the road and get a win anytime, but especially in the tournament. We are excited to continue our season and head to Baltimore."
Albany took a 1-0 lead at 16:54 of the first half. Alfonso Pinheiro finished off a pass for Keith Traut from 15 yards out with a shot to the near post.
Vermont leveled the game in the 30th minute.
Jaime Miralles sent a through pass behind the Albany defense.
Brian Wright was able to run onto the ball and finish for his team-leading eighth goal of the season.
The Catamounts netted the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute. Chris Brasille sent a free kick into the box and Miralles' pass from the endline went out beyond the top of the penalty area. Yeboah ran onto ball and fired in a hard shot to the right side of the net. It was Yeboah's second goal of the season.
Conor Leland picked up the win in the Vermont net with three saves. Michael Pizzuti was credited with four stops for Albany.
NOTES: Vermont is the No. 5 seed for the first time in program history … UVM snaps an 0-3 streak against Albany in the tournament … The Catamounts advance to the semifinals for 11th time in program history and second time in three years ... UVM earned a quarterfinal win for the first time since 2008 … Vermont picked up its 11th America East Tournament victory, the most among the current conference membership.
