MEN'S SOCCER NOTEBOOK
Fourteenth-ranked Vermont (7-1-2, 2-0-0 AE) heads to The Constitution State on Tuesday (Oct. 2) for a non-conference matchup with UConn (6-3, 2-1 Big East). The opening kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium in Storrs, Conn. Tuesday's game will be streamed for free on UConn+.
 
ALUMNI GATHERING
Alumni, families, and friends are welcome to join the UVM Alumni Association Hartford Affinity Group for a pregame rally in the Trophy Room bar and restaurant at The Graduate Storrs Hotel. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will continue at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium for Vermont's matchup with UConn at 7 p.m. Purchase game tickets directly through UConn Athletics. Game tickets are not required for the pregame gathering, but registration for the event is encouraged.
 
RELATED LINKS
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SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
UConn has earned wins in four of its last five matches heading into Tuesday night's meeting with Vermont. The Huskies defeated Villanova on Friday (Sept. 29) 1-0 at home, and are currently sitting No. 2 in the East Division of the Big East standings. Scott Testori leads the attack this season with a team-high three goals and eight points. Lucas Almeida also has three goals on the 2023 campaign. Jayden Hibbert has earned starts in eight of nine games as the Huskies' goalkeeper, posting a .714 save percentage and 1.28 goals against average.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Vermont and UConn square off for the 30th time in series history, and the first official game since 2018. The Catamounts own a 10-17-1 record against the Huskies, with 27 of the previous 29 games played before 1990. Vermont's 1989 "Dream Season" saw its NCAA Tournament run begin with a 2-0 victory over UConn in Storrs.
 
CO-ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
First-year forward Sydney Wathuta was named America East Co-Rookie of the Week on Monday after scoring his first collegiate goal last week at UMass. The Calgary, Alberta native's goal was the game-tying tally for the Catamounts. Wathuta started in both games for Vermont who went 1-0-1 last week.
 
CATS IN THE RPI
Vermont was ranked No. 11 nationally in the second edition of the NCAA's RPI Rankings. The Catamounts are the top-ranked America East school, 21 spots ahead of Bryant (32). The conference as a whole is a ranked as the third-toughest league in the nation, behind the Pac-12 and ACC.
 
2-0 IN LEAGUE PLAY
The Catamounts are the only team in America East to begin league play with two wins. Vermont is one of three unbeaten teams, joined by NJIT (1-0-1) and UMBC (1-0-1).
 
THRU 10
UVM ranks in the top 10 nationally in three statistical categories through 10 games this season. The Catamounts are ranked No. 3 in save percentage (.857), No. 5 in team goals against average (.500), and No. 10 in winning percentage (.800).
 
BAZINI!
Yaniv Bazini currently ranks No. 6 nationally in game-winning goals this season, scoring three clinching tallies. The redshirt junior has scored game-winners in each of Vermont's last two victories.  He currently leads America East with two goals in two league matches.
 
OJACK NATIONALLY
Owen Jack ranks No. 7 nationally in three statistical categories: goals against average (.500), save percentage (.844), and shutouts (5).
 
McEACHEN INDUCTED
Former Vermont head coach Ron McEachen was one of five Catamounts inducted in the UVM Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday (Sept. 29). McEachen led the Catamounts as head coach of for 11 seasons and is tied for the program record for wins with 114. He led Vermont to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 1989 and 1990 with consecutive conference titles. McEachen guided Vermont in its "Dream Season" of 1989. The Cats went on an incredible 19-0-1 run that brought with it a school record in wins, a No. 1 ranking in New England, and a top-10 national ranking.
 
New England Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's soccer