BOSTON – For the first time in conference history, a pair of #AEMSOC programs advanced to the NCAA Men's Soccer Round of 16, as Vermont and #8 New Hampshire both secured NCAA Second Round victories on Sunday.
The Catamounts needed overtime but scored in the 105th minute and held off a late barrage from #12 seed UCF to advance to the Round of 16 for a second straight year with a 3-2 victory. UVM will travel to play at #5 West Virginia next Saturday, Nov. 25 at 4 p.m.
The Wildcats grabbed the lead in the 6th minute and never looked back as they shut out reigning national champion Syracuse 3-0 and advanced to the Round of 16 for the second time in the last three years. They will host #9 Clemson in Durham on Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.
#8 New Hampshire 3, Syracuse 0 - Box Score
Taig Healy put the Wildcats in front at 5:52 and Dylan Maxon tallied his first goal of the season nine minutes before the half for a 2-0 advantage at the break. The UNH defense limited Syracuse to just two shots in the final 45 minutes and Eli Goldman tallied his ninth goal in the 61st minute for 3-0 final.
Vermont 3, #12 UCF 2 (2OT) - Box Score
Vermont fell behind 1-0 just 1:06 into the contest, but Niels Hartman netted the equalized in the 17th minute. Yaniv Bazini gave the Catamounts the lead with an unassisted goal in the 55th minute, but UCF evened it 2-2 in the 77th minute. In the 105th minute, Carter Johnson headed in a ball from Bazini for the game-winner. Owen Jack finished with three saves and held strong on UCF’s 13 corners.
This marks the third straight season overall and fifth in the last eight years an America East program has reached the Round of 16. Last season Vermont advanced all the way to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
Follow @AmericaEast on X and Instagram to follow each team’s journey through the NCAA tournament and use #AEMSOC hashtag to join the conversation.
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