FINAL SCORE: No. 17 Vermont 1, Bryant 0
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Yaniv Bazini's third goal of the season was the difference as No. 17 Vermont (6-1-1, 1-0-0 AE) began America East play with a 1-0 victory over Bryant (7-1, 0-1 AE) on a rainy Saturday night at Beirne Stadium.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"We saw a playoff-like match tonight – Bryant is a contender," head coach Rob Dow said. "We had our best second-half performance of the season with good pressure from our forwards and midfielders. We are happy to get our first win on the road and in conference, and are on to UMass."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts and Bulldogs battled to a scoreless opening 45 minutes. Owen Jack (1 save) denied the lone shot on goal in the frame, stopping Marc Pitarch Bayot's attempt that was headed towards the lower left corner in the 38th minute.
• Vermont thought it pulled ahead in the final seconds of the first half when Jacob Vitale sent home a rebound for what would've been his first goal of the season. The play was ruled offside moments later, sending the conference foes into the break tied at 0-0.
• Max Murray tested Bryant goalkeeper Antreas Hadjigavriel (5 saves) in the 51st minute with UVM's first shot on goal. Adrian Schulze Solano found Murray whose kick from 20 yards out was turned away.
• Bazini broke the seal in the 60th minute with the winning tally. The redshirt junior chased down a Bryant defender inside the 18-yard box, recovered a loose ball and snuck a shot inside the left post for the 1-0 lead.
• Vermont continued on the attack directing its next three shots on goal, all saved by Hadjigavriel.
• The Bulldogs pressured the Catamounts in the final 10 minutes in search for the equalizer. Bryant nearly converted on a free kick in the 83rd minute that bounced around in the 18-yard box, but was cleared away by Jake Ashford. Jeremy Tsang denied a Bulldogs' scoring chance shortly after, making a defensive save from just in front of the goal line to preserve the UVM lead.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Bazini's winning marker was the first goal scored on Bryant this season. The Bulldogs entered the matchup as one of two teams in the nation who had yet to yield a goal.
• The Catamounts finished the night with a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal. Vermont had a total of nine shots in the contest, with Carter Johnson producing a game-high three shots.
• UVM's win marks the second consecutive season that it began America East play with a victory.
• With the win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to King Street Center as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Since its inauguration in 2017, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group has donated over $80,000 to local non-profits through the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative.  

UP NEXT
Vermont dips back into its non-conference slate on Tuesday (Sept. 26) when it visits UMass. The kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET at Rudd Field in Amherst, Mass. and will broadcast live on ESPN+.
 
PREGAME RALLY AT UCONN (OCT. 3)
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.
 
New England Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's soccer