Cats tie rival Wildcats, clinch spot in playoffs
The mens soccer team played the University of New Hampshire Wildcats on Oct. 20 to a 0-0 double-overtime draw in America East play. The Catamounts clinched a spot in the America East Tournament from the tie. The game drew a crowd of 726 people at Virtue Field the highest attendance at a mens soccer game in the facilities inaugural season.
This will be the third straight year that UVM has competed in the tournament, and the eighth time in nine years while being coached by Jesse Cormier. The Catamounts remain in first place in America East standings, 3-0-2, and move to 6-4-5 overall.
I have mixed emotions because you always want to win at home, you always want to come away with three points, said head coach Jesse Cormier. But I don’t think we played well enough to win it.
The game was delayed during the first overtime at 3:28 because of lightning, with play resuming after 30 minutes.
Neither team had many opportunities to score in the 110 minutes of action. In the final minutes of regulation, a UNH header appeared bound for the back of the net, but UVM goalkeeper, junior Conor Leland, came up with the save. Leland finished the game with two stops.
In the second overtime, UVM sophomore Jesse Scheirer had his shot attempt blocked by a UNH defender, keeping the game scoreless.
UNH goalkeeper Travis Worra was credited with two saves on the day.
The Wildcats move to 5-6-4 overall and 1-2-2 in league play.
Vermont returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 24 when they travel to Albany for a 7:30 p.m. match. The game will be played at the College of St. Rose in Albany, N.Y.