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Vermont Catamounts Advance To NCAA Quarterfinals With Dramatic Overtime Victory
San Diego, CA – In a thrilling third-round matchup of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night, the Vermont Catamounts triumphed over the San Diego Toreros 1-0, thanks to a decisive penalty kick goal by Yaniv Bazini just 29 seconds into overtime. This win marks Vermont’s second NCAA Quarterfinal appearance in the past three years, improving their season record to 14-2-5.
The match saw a scoreless first half, highlighted by strong performances from goalkeepers Niklas Herceg of Vermont and Donovan Parisian of San Diego. Herceg showcased his skills with multiple saves, including a critical stop that deflected Cesar Bahena’s shot away from the net. Despite the Catamounts’ best efforts, including a free kick shot from Bazini that was expertly saved by Parisian, neither team could capitalize, leading to a halftime stalemate.
As the game progressed, both teams had opportunities, but Herceg’s stellar play—culminating in a career-high seven saves—kept the score even. The match remained scoreless through regulation, pushing it into overtime where the Catamounts struck quickly. Nathan Simeon’s pass to Ryan Zellefrow resulted in a penalty kick opportunity after San Diego’s Mathias Bauer fouled, setting the stage for Bazini to net the game-winner.
With this victory, Vermont continues its remarkable postseason journey, which includes eight NCAA Tournament wins since 2022 under the leadership of Head Coach Rob Dow. Moreover, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to the Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation as part of the Cats Wins, Community Wins initiative. The Catamounts will face the second-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers in the quarterfinals on Saturday, December 7, at 3 p.m., broadcast live on ESPN+. For updates on the Vermont men’s soccer program, follow @UVMmsoccer on social media.
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Photo credit uvmathletics.com
