FINAL SCORE: #18 Vermont 1, Hofstra 0
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – A go-ahead goal from
Islam Houssni in the final minute of regulation combined with a three save clean sheet from
Niklas Herceg propelled No. 18 Vermont (5-0-2) over Hofstra (4-1-2, 1-0-2 CAA) by a score of 1-0 on Tuesday night from Captains Field. With the win, the Catamounts hand Hofstra its first loss of the season while UVM remains unbeaten through the first seven matches of a season for just the third time in program history.
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
COACH'S QUOTE
"That was a Vermont win," said Head Coach Adrian Dubois. "Tough environment, very good opponent, and our guys competed for each other from the first whistle to the last. We wanted this road stretch to challenge us and create some adversity, and I loved the way our group responded tonight. We'll enjoy this one, learn from it, and keep improving."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Lewis Matton saw a beautiful opportunity to score in the 12th minute for Hofstra when James York dished a pass to him in the box, but Matton seemed to rush his shot, placing it right in the chest of Niklas Herceg who made his first save of the match, keeping the score at 0-0.
- Hofstra tested Vermont's defense again in the 39th minute of play when a fierce solo effort from Jordan Hoey resulted in him finding Alex Ruben all alone in the 18-yard box, seeing Ruben use his left foot to fire off a shot, but the ball soared wide left of the net, eliminating the scoring chance for the Pride.
- Each team was awarded one corner kick before halftime, but neither squad could execute, sending the match to halftime with a score of 0-0.
- The Catamounts came out in the second half possessing the ball mostly on the Hofstra side of the field. In the 83rd minute, UVM saw its best scoring chance when David Ismail managed a pullback move on a Pride defender, using his left foot to rifle a shot towards the bottom left corner, but Milo Risenhoover was there to make the diving save, keeping Vermont off the scoreboard.
- Hofstra rallied back in the 85th minute when a cross from David Citron found the head of York who flicked the ball towards the top right side of the net. Herceg stood tall, making a diving save to catch the ball in midair.
- In the final minute of regulation, the Catamounts did it again. Vermont was awarded a corner kick with 52 seconds remaining, taken by Luis Fischer. Fischer placed the ball perfectly in the six-yard box, finding Houssni who used his head to bury his second goal of the season into the bottom right corner, securing UVM the 1-0 victory over Hofstra while on the road from Captains Field.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Houssni recorded his second goal of the season on Tuesday, securing the game-winning goal.
- Herceg notched his fourth consecutive shutout, fifth overall on the year, making three total saves against Hofstra. Herceg is up to 21 career shutouts, tied for the fourth most in program history.
- Fischer registered his fifth assist of the season, tied for the America East lead in that department.
- The Catamounts have scored first in six of their first seven matches and have never trailed in 2026.
- Vermont is unbeaten through the first seven matches of a season for just the third time in program history.
- UVM outshot Hofstra on goal four to three.
- The Catamounts took six corner kicks to Hofstra's three.
- With today's Win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to the Ronald McDonald House through the Cat's Win, Community Win's initiative. Vermont Mutual has donated over $6.4 Million Dollars since launching their Charitable Giving Fund.
UP NEXT
Following the win over Hofstra, the Catamounts will get four days to prepare for their final match of a four-match road trip, heading over to Hanover, NH to take on Ivy League foe, Dartmouth, on Saturday, Sep. 19 at 7 p.m. All the action 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.
EastRise Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont soccer
