FINAL: Vermont 1, No. 15 Syracuse 1
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont (1-1-1) and No. 15 Syracuse (2-0-1) traded goals in the first half, but ultimately played to a 1-1 draw in a thrilling non-conference matchup on Friday night at Virtue Field.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"I think our fans saw an NCAA Tournament level game tonight," head coach Rob Dow said. "Something we talked about before the game was, can we get to a place where we were in November against Villanova, and I thought we did that tonight. Syracuse is a great team, and we continue to play good opponents. We have the Ivy League champs Monday so we'll have to recover and bounce back."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Levonte Johnson struck first for the Orange in the 10th minute. The Syracuse forward rifled a kick off the cross bar and in for the early 1-0 lead. Nathan Opoku was credited with the assist on the opening goal.
• Vermont countered with Yaniv Bazini's first goal as a Catamount in the 21st minute. Bazini stepped into a shot and clanked it off the far post and in for the equalizer.
• UVM and Syracuse exchanged chances in the second half with the Orange outshooting the Cats 5-3 in the frame. Vermont had a great chance in the 84th minute when Jacob Vitale appeared to break free for a run towards the 'Cuse goal, but was whistled due to an offsides call. Minutes later, Yves Borie hammered a low drive just left of the goal to test the Syracuse defense.
• The Catamounts had one last push in the final seconds with a Garrett Lillie cross from inside the box that was intercepted by Russell Shealy (0 saves).

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Bazini, Borie, and Zach Barrett each registered two shots for the Catamounts. Bazini's goal was the lone shot on goal for Vermont.
• UVM had five corner kick opportunities, with two coming in the second half.

UP NEXT
Vermont continues non-conference play on Monday (Sept. 5) when it visits Princeton at Sherrerd Field. The Catamounts and Tigers kick off at 4 p.m. Monday's game will broadcast live on ESPN+.
 
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