Cary, N.C. – Vermont scored in the final 10 minutes of regulation for a second straight game to force overtime and then netted the game-winner five minutes into extra time to secure its first-ever national championship 2-1 over Marshall on Monday night!
Marcel Papp tied the contest in the 81st minute on a great give-and-go and then Maximillian Kissel came through with an outstanding individual effort to secure the game-winner five minutes into overtime and propel the Catamounts to victory. The win marks the first national championship by any America East team in league history.
Kissel was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player after his overtime winner while goalkeeper Niklas Herceg was selected as the Most Outstanding Defensive Player following an impressive four save performance in 94:53. Yaniv Bazini, Zach Barrett and Marcell Papp were all named to the All-Tournament Team.
How it Happened:
- Vermont’s best chance in the opening half came in the 23rd minute. Bazini got a ball and moving toward the 18 and sent a pass over to David Ismail who took a touch before ripping a shot toward net. Aleksa Janjic made the sliding save to keep it scoreless.
- Marshall finished with a 5-4 advantage in shots at the half, though the Thundering Herd didn’t have any on net. Vermont had a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.
- Opening 15 minutes of the second half Marshall put a pair of shots on net, forcing Niklas Herceg to make a pair of tough saves.
- Vermont countered with a couple solid opportunities, but after a stoppage in play due to a UVM injury Marshall took control of play.
- The Herd finally broke through 67th minute. Rai Pinto sent a cross into the box and Herceg dove to break it up, but Tarik Pannholzer was right in front to collect the rebound and drive home the goal.
- Vermont rallied again in the final ten minutes in the run of play. Max Murray trapped a ball coming out of the box, sent it over to Papp who dished to David Ismail. Ismail returned the favor and Papp fired the shot home.
- Both teams had one good chance over the final eight minutes of regulation.
- In overtime, Kissel received a long ball over the top and beat the defender to it just outside the 18. He was 1-on-1 with Janjic and able to get around him and rip the game-winner into the back of the net.
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference and its social media channels, @AmericaEast.
- America East Conference – Where Champions Rise -