FINAL SCORE: Vermont 1, UConn 0
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Vermont (6-1-4, 1-0-1 AE) extended its unbeaten streak to 10 matches thanks to an 84th minute goal from Yaniv Bazini, securing the Catamounts a 1-0 victory over UConn (7-1-3, 2-0-1 Big East), handing the Huskies their first defeat of the 2024 season on a rainy Tuesday night from Virtue Field.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
CatamounTV Highlights
Postgame - Bazini
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"UConn is a very good team," said Head Coach Rob Dow. "Tonight was our best 90-minute performance this season. We'll need to continue to raise the bar as we face NJIT Sunday."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• With 15:16 to go in the first half, Vermont nearly found the opening goal when Andrew Millar danced around a defender, dishing the ball off to Nathan Simeon who advanced in Huskies' territory, crossing towards the net finding the foot of a diving Bazini, but the tip went just high of the net, keeping the match scoreless. No goals were scored in the first 45 minutes.
• In the 51st minute, a great challenge from Marcell Papp on a Huskies breakout attempt set up Sydney Wathuta in the middle of the slot, rifling a shot on net, but the UConn goalie stood strong, deflecting the ball out of bound for a corner kick.
• An outstanding hustle play from Millar to keep the ball inbounds in the 61st minute gave Vermont's Jeremy Tsang an opportunity to shoot on net, hitting the hand of a UConn defender inside the box, awarding UVM a penalty kick taken by Bazini. An impressive save by Max Kerkvliet on the penalty kick kept the score knotted 0-0.
• Vermont finally broke through, scoring a clutch goal in the 84th minute when a throw-in play on the short side of the field resulted in Simeon bouncing a header to Bazini, finishing the play with a header of his own securing his fifth goal of the season, earning the Catamounts a late 1-0 advantage.
• First Year goaltender Niklas Herceg stayed perfect the remainder of the night as Vermont came out victorious over UConn, 1-0. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Herceg earned his first career shutout vs UConn, recording three total saves throughout the night.
• Bazini scored his fifth goal of the season to go along with three total shots. It's the second time this year scoring a goal in back-to-back matches.
• Mike Bleeker claimed his first point of the season earning an assist on the game-winning goal.
• David Ismail dialed up a team high four total shots.
• With the win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Children's Trust Foundation as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins Initiative.

UP NEXT
Following the win over UConn the Catamounts stay home, facing a quick turnaround as they play host to NJIT on Sunday, Oct. 13 from Virtue Field in the team's second match of a three-match homestand. Sunday's matchup will be UVM's annual Rally Around Mental Health match presented by Redstone. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Ryan Zimmerman on the call.

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