MEN'S SOCCER NOTEBOOK
The 12th-ranked Vermont men's soccer team will begin its 2023 campaign on Thursday (Aug. 24) when its hosts Western Michigan at Virtue Field. The opening kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET, and will broadcast live on ESPN+. Tickets for the home opener are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets, or by visiting the Gutterson Fieldhouse Box Office one hour before kickoff.
 
RELATED LINKS
Watch on ESPN+ | Live Stats
Tickets
 
SCOUTING THE BRONCOS
Western Michigan enters Thursday's matchup receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll, after an impressive 16-3-2 mark a season ago. The Broncos claimed a Mid-American Conference (MAC) title last season and won two NCAA Tournament games (2-1 at Louisville, 1-0 at Lipscomb), before falling to Portland (L, 1-0) in the Third Round. Charlie Sharp returns to Western Michigan for a fifth season after being selected by Toronto FC in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. Sharp led the Broncos with 30 points (12 goals, 8 assists) in 2022, which ranked No. 7 in the nation. The 6-5 forward was recently named to the United Soccer Coaches' Division I Players to Watch list. Moving to the Missouri Valley Conference this season, the Broncos were picked No. 2 in the league's preseason poll.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Catamounts and Broncos meet for the second time in series history. Vermont battled Western Michigan to a 1-1 draw here in Burlington in 2008. UVM associate head coach, Brad Cole, faced the Broncos last season as a member of the Portland staff, earning a victory (W, 1-0) in the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
NATIONALLY-RANKED CATS
Vermont's national ranking marks the first time that the Catamounts will begin the season in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll. The Catamounts have been ranked in 10 consecutive polls dating back to September 20, 2022. Vermont has spent the last four polls in the top 15, including a program-best No. 4 ranking in the final poll of 2022.  
 
AMERICA EAST PRESEASON POLL
The Catamounts were ranked No. 2 in the America East Preseason Poll by the league's coaches. Vermont received three first-place votes, and a total of 45 points. New Hampshire edged out UVM with four first-place votes and a total of 46 points.
 
A HISTORIC 2022 SEASON
The 2022 Vermont men's soccer season was a memorable one, with the Catamounts advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals for just the second time in program history. UVM carried a 16-4-2 (5-1-1 AE) record and achieved a program-best No. 4 national ranking in the final United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll. The Catamounts had an impressive NCAA Tournament run, beginning with a thrilling 3-2 double-overtime victory over Quinnipiac in the First Round. UVM then traveled to No. 11 SMU, and scored three goals in the final 25 minutes to earn a 3-2 victory. Vermont returned home to defeat UCLA 3-0, before falling to eventual national champion, No. 3 Syracuse 1-0 on the road in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
 
RETURNING TO THE FIELD
Vermont returns three members of the America East All-Conference Team from a season ago. Max Murray scored a team-high 10 goals in 2022, and received First Team honors. Yaniv Bazini ranked No. 3 on the Catamounts with five goals and was named to the Second Team, along with midfielder, Adrian Schulze Solano and defender, Zach Barrett. Barrett was recently named to the United Soccer Coaches Division I Players to Watch list.

THE NEWEST CATAMOUNT
Graduate student, Tucker Paron, was surprised with a spot on the 2023 roster on Tuesday afternoon in a team film session. Serving as a student manager for the Catamounts as an undergraduate student, Paron was playing for the UVM Men's Club Soccer Team. 
 
WELCOME BACK TO VERMONT
The Catamounts welcomed three members of their coaching staff back to the Green Mountain State. Associate head coach Brad Cole returns to the staff for the first time since 2019. Cole was also a former captain of the Catamounts in 2014. Rory Twomey returned to the staff after a season at Saint Lawrence. The assistant coach was previously a member of the Vermont staff during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. UVM also added 2012 America East Goalkeeper of the Year, Conor Leland, as Director of Operations.
 
PEP RALLY SEPTEMBER 1
Join us for the annual Pep Rally presented by TD Bank on Friday, September 1 at 5 p.m. There will be free food, lawn games, giveaways, live music, and special performances! Following the Pep Rally, the Catamounts will host No. 20 Cornell at 6 p.m. Admission to the Pep Rally is free, with tickets for the game available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets.
 
New England Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's soccer