Vermont Wins First College Cup in History

Vermont Wins First College Cup in History
by Victor Olorunfemi
December 16, 2024

The Vermont Catamounts are NCAA Division I champions for the first time in program history after a dramatic game-winner from Maximillian Kissel sealed the victory five minutes into overtime. Marshall led with ten minutes remaining but could not prevent Vermont from earning its second consecutive comeback victory.

The match began as most expected, with the Thundering Herd dominating possession but unable to break down a stingy Catamount defense. That defensive base led to the first quality chance of the match as Ryan Zellefrow regained possession at midfield, releasing Yaniz Bazini, who set up a David Ismail 1-on-1 shot saved by Aleksa Janjic in the 23rd minute. That would be the only quality opportunity of the first half.

One avenue Marshall used to attempt breaking down the Vermont backline was crossing from wide positions, a method that would eventually lead to a goal in the 67th minute. Rai Pinto sprinted down the right wing, unleashing a low-driven cross slammed home by Tarik Pannholzer following a spilled save from Niklas Herceg. 

While Marshall celebrated, all the goal did was reinvigorate a squad that had a season full of late-game heroics, such as scoring an 85th-minute winner in the America East conference final and striking an equalizer with seven minutes remaining in the College Cup semi-final. Still, opportunities would come sparingly against an elite Marshall defense led by captain Alex Bamford, who was putting on a defensive master class at center back.

That chance came in the 81st minute as towering center-back Max Murray, as he had been all night, was at the right place at the right time to intercept a clearance from Janjic, feeding Marcell Papp, who executed a perfect 1-2 with David Ismail before finding the bottom corner for the equalizer.

The Catamounts would carry that momentum into the ensuing overtime, culminating in a dramatic game-winner. Senior center-back Zach Barrett intercepted a pass, won what felt like his billionth 50-50 challenge of the night, and then played a long ball over the top for Maximilian Kissel. The junior forward outmuscled Bamford before displaying elite composure to dribble past the keeper and roll the championship game-winner into the net. It was a full circle moment for Kissel, who transferred from the University of Bridgeport to Vermont after leading NCAA D2 soccer with 23 goals in 20 games in the 2023 season.

Amid the chaotic celebrations, the American-born German striker spoke about what led him to Vermont. “When I was in the portal and I talked to teams, I knew when I talked to Rob [Dow] when I talked to Brad [Cole] that this is the place I want to be, the place to win a national championship.

In his eighth season, Dow has led Vermont to the program’s first-ever national championship in its first College Cup final. Marshall falls just short of winning a second title in five seasons.

Related Topics: America East, Sun Belt
Trending Videos
Upload Videos for Free
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
IMG Academy Player Rankings: Boys 2026
IMG Academy Player Rankings: Boys 2026
Professional Signing Tracker
Professional Signing Tracker
EA Concludes 2024 With Winter Event
EA Concludes 2024 With Winter Event

Headlines

Read more
IMG Academy Top 200/150 Rankings
see full ranking:
Boys Girls