The Vermont men’s soccer team is set to host the MAAC Champion Iona in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament. This will mark the Catamounts’ fourth consecutive appearance in the tournament. The game will take place on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. from Virtue Field and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Iona enters the match on a winning streak, with seven straight victories and a strong defensive record. The Gaels will be led by First Year Rossi Bautista, who has scored eight goals this season and is on a five-match scoring streak. The Catamounts have a positive history against Iona, leading the all-time series with a record of 3-2-0.
Vermont’s Head Coach Rob Dow has led the team to its 13th NCAA Tournament berth and is the second coach in program history to achieve this feat. The Catamounts have had success at home in the tournament, with a record of 6-1-0. They are known for their high-scoring offense and have a winning percentage that ranks among the top ten in the NCAA.
Key players for Vermont this season include Sydney Wathuta, who was named AE Midfielder of the Year, and Zach Barrett, who was named AE Defender of the Year. The coaching staff was also recognized with the AE Coaching Staff of the Year award.
The winner of Thursday’s match will move on to face the seven-seed Hofstra in the next round. The game will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+. Fans can follow @UVMmsoccer on social media for updates on the team.
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Photo credit uvmathletics.com
