FINAL SCORE: Vermont 2, #7 Hofstra 1
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Yaniv Bazini and David Ismail scored for the Catamounts on Sunday evening as Vermont (13-2-5) advanced to the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season with a 2-1 win over the seven-seed Hofstra (14-5-2). The Catamounts handed the Pride their first loss at home in 22 matches dating back to October of 2022.
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
CatamounTV: Ismail Game-Winner | Postgame Celebrations
Photo Gallery
Postgame: Coach Dow & Ismail
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts opened the scoring in the eighth minute of play setting the tone early. Mike Bleeker played a through ball from deep in the Vermont end 50 yards out to Yaniv Bazini between two Pride defenders. Bazini won the ball and pushed it towards the Hofstra net with his first touch. On a half-volley Bazini drove a hard-low shot with his right foot past Filippo Dadone to make it 1-0.
• Hofstra's best chance in the first half came in the dying seconds of the opening frame. With 12 seconds to play Hofstra's Laurie Goddard created some space on the outside and drilled a shot destined for the far corner. UVM's Niklas Herceg made a diving stop with his right arm to parry it away.
• The Pride were able to equalize in the 52nd minute. A through ball from Teddy Baker deflected off a Vermont defender in the box and came right to Hofstra's Jacob Woznicki who slotted home his ninth goal of the season from close range.
• The Catamounts didn't waste any time answering back. Zach Barrett and Ismail ran a give-and-go with stunning results. Ismail delivered the ball to Barrett around midfield and then made a diagonal run into the box. Barrett chipped the ball towards Ismail and then Ismail back-heeled the ball in one motion over his head. On the volley Ismail released a superb strike to the far corner just inside the post to reestablish UVM's lead just 51 seconds after the Woznicki goal.
• In the 86th minute the Pride appeared to have equalized off the foot of midfielder Roc Carles. He banged home the would-be equalizer after a rebound from another Goddard chance. However, the goal was called back for offside as a Hofstra player in an offside position effected Herceg's ability to see and stop the Carles attempt. Herceg made four saves on the night to send Vermont back to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Catamounts under Head Coach Rob Dow have now won seven NCAA Tournament games since 2022.
• Vermont is one of four teams to reach the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons (Vermont, Indiana, Marshall and Stanford.)
• The Catamounts seven goals scored are the most by any team in this years NCAA Tournament.
• Yaniv Bazini has now scored seven career NCAA Tournament goals in nine career games.
• With the win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Children's Trust Foundation as part of the Cats Wins, Community Wins Initiative.

UP NEXT
The Catamounts will travel to San Diego, Calif. to face San Diego after the Toreros defeated No. 10 Duke earlier this afternoon 1-0. The Toreros are 15-2-2 this season and we're ranked third in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Poll. The matchup is set for Sunday, December 1 at 8 p.m. (ET) from Torero Stadium. The match like all of the first four rounds of the Men's Soccer NCAA Tournament will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

For news and updates about the Vermont men's soccer program, follow @UVMmsoccer on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and visit UVMathletics.com.
EastRise Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont soccer