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UVM Men’s Soccer Advances to NCAA Tournament Round of 32 After Dominant Win Over Iona
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) — The University of Vermont (UVM) men’s soccer team is celebrating its advancement to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 for the third consecutive year, following a commanding 5-0 victory against Iona on a rainy Thursday night at Virtue Field.
The game began with David Ismail stunning Iona with a long-range strike less than 20 minutes in. However, it was redshirt senior Yaniv Bazini who truly shifted the momentum in the second half, scoring just 20 seconds after the whistle with a stunning curl around the Gaels’ goalkeeper. Bazini followed up with another goal ten minutes later, executing a crafty backheel that solidified his brace.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Bazini noted, “We have a lot of experience. In do-or-die situations, everyone gives their best. It’s about teamwork and individual contributions.” This victory marks UVM’s sixth win in the NCAA Tournament over the past three seasons.
Ryan Zellefrow and Maxi Kissel also contributed to the scoreboard, rounding out the convincing 5-0 result. Head coach Rob Dow praised his team’s effort, acknowledging Iona’s possession-oriented style and the challenges it posed. “We had to endure a few moments, but once we broke, we knew we could be dangerous,” he explained. Dow highlighted the offensive prowess of his players, including Sydney Wathuta and Marcell Papp, who created significant threats against the visiting defense.
Next up, UVM will head to Long Island to face #7 Hofstra. The matchup is set for kickoff at 5 p.m. this Sunday, as the Catamounts look to continue their impressive tournament run.
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Photo credit www.wcax.com
