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Vermont Stuns USD in Overtime Defeat as NCAA Tournament Run Ends
In a dramatic finish at Torero Stadium, the University of San Diego (USD) men’s soccer team experienced a heartbreaking exit from the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night, losing 1-0 to the Vermont Catamounts just 29 seconds into overtime. The decisive penalty kick, taken by Yaniv Bazini, dashed USD’s hopes of advancing further in the tournament and marked a painful end to a remarkable season.
The match, attended by 3,227 fans, was tightly contested, with USD dominating possession and outshooting Vermont seven to three. Yet, the result hinged on a controversial call by referee Servando Berna. A back-and-forth encounter reached its abrupt conclusion when a late slide tackle by USD defender Trevor Dillon resulted in a penalty for Vermont. The decision ignited frustration from the home crowd, who felt the ball was unplayable at the time of the foul.
USD’s coach Brian Quinn expressed disappointment, noting the emotional toll of the loss. "We played well enough to win," he commented, highlighting the team’s efforts throughout the game. Despite the defeat, the Toreros achieved their first Sweet 16 appearance in 12 years, closing their season with an impressive 15-3-2 record.
Vermont, now 14-2-6, advances to the Elite Eight and will face No. 2 seed Pittsburgh in the upcoming rounds. Catamounts coach Rob Dow praised USD, acknowledging the challenge of overcoming such a talented team. As the Toreros move forward, players like freshman Luca Fava recognized the importance of converting opportunities, reflecting on the bittersweet lessons learned from the tournament experience.
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Photo credit www.sandiegouniontribune.com
