FINAL SCORE: #9 Vermont 4, Fairfield 2
FAIRFIELD, CT. – After being down by two goals entering the second half of action, Vermont (6-0-3) men's soccer roared back to defeat Fairfield (3-3-1) 4-2 on Saturday night from Lessing Field, getting two goals from Ryan Zellefrow just 27 seconds apart from each other, and a 78th minute dagger by David Ismail, adding insurance to the spectacular comeback. With the win, Vermont secures its first road win on the season and remains unbeaten nine matches into the 2025 campaign.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"First half poor, second half championship level," said Head Coach Rob Dow. "Another taste of the cardiac Cats. Looking forward to conference play"
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Fairfield opened scoring in the 26th minute of action when first year forward Sean Albritton recorded his third goal of the season, propelling Fairfield to a 1-0 advantage in the first half.
• The Stags doubled their lead in 38th minute, seeing Jordan Blunschi loft a shot to the bottom left corner of the net, earning his first goal of the season, putting the Catamounts in a two-goal hole entering halftime.
• In the 56th minute of play, Vermont got one back on the scoreboard after Ismail dialed up an offensive fast break, getting help from Nico Loebus on the outside where he dished off a pass. Loebus took a couple strides towards the box before taking a shot that deflected of a Stag into their own net, cutting UVM's deficit in half.
• Rui Aoki nearly knotted the match in the 63rd minute when his up-close shot was deflected upwards by Evan Chomow, striking the crossbar and bouncing out of play, keeping Fairfield ahead by one.  
• The Catamounts knotted the score at 2-2 in the 69th minute, seeing Toby Grant connect with Andrew Millar just outside the box, who took one touch to send a cross to Zellefrow who was in the slot ready to drill a shot on net with his right foot to the top left corner, securing his first goal of the season and delivering Vermont its second goal of the match.
• It only took Zellefrow 27 second to find the back of the net for his second goal of the match, this time using his left foot to find the bottom right corner after receiving a pass from Loebus who was set up by Millar, earning Vermont its first lead, 3-2.  
• A red card called on Albritton in the 71st minute put the Stags down a man for the remainder of the match.
• In the 78th minute, Ismail put a ribbon on the comeback by scoring his third goal of the season, finishing off a play orchestrated by Millar with his right foot, pinning the bottom left corner earning the Catamounts a 4-2 lead with time winding down.
• Niklas Herceg made one more strong save with his right hand before the 90th minute buzzer rang, securing Vermont its third straight win, and first road victory of the season.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Zellefrow notched his first career multi-goal match against Fairfield, securing his first two goals of the 2025 campaign, already knotting his goal total from the 2024 season.
• Ismail registered his third goal of the season on Saturday, tying a career high, now having scored a goal in three of his last four matches.
• Millar tallied his first career multi-assist match against the Stags, putting him at three total helpers on the season thus far.
• Grant notched his first career collegiate point, recording one assist on Saturday night.
• Loebus registered his third assist of the season.
• Vermont scored four unanswered goals in the same match for the second time this season.
• The Catamounts outshot the Stags on goal six to three.
• Vermont took nine corner kicks to Fairfield's two.
• With today's Win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to the Lund Family Center through the Cat's Win, Community Win's initiative. Vermont Mutual has donated over $5 Million Dollars since launching their Charitable Giving Fund in 2014.

 
UP NEXT
Following the win over Fairfield, the Catamounts get one week to prepare for their America East conference opener against UMBC on Saturday, Sept. 27. Kickoff for the conference opener is schedule for 1 p.m. and will be Vermont's annual Spread Respect game. It will also be UVM Weekend in Catamount Country. The match will be streamed 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.

East Rise Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont soccer.