Marshall Stuns Top-Seeded Ohio State, Advances to College Cup Final
CARY, N.C. — In a night filled with drama, grit, and a touch of chaos, the No. 13 seed Marshall Thundering Herd pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory over top-seeded Ohio State in the semifinals of the College Cup on Friday night. The win sends Marshall (15-1-7) to the championship game, where they’ll face unseeded Vermont on Monday (8 p.m., ESPN2, ESPN+). It’s a matchup few could have predicted, but one that promises to deliver fireworks.
The game’s lone goal came early, and it was a moment of brilliance mixed with a bit of misfortune for Ohio State. In just the seventh minute, Marshall’s Tarik Pannholzer capitalized on a defensive miscue to score what would ultimately be the game-winner. Pannholzer slipped behind the Buckeyes’ defense on a counterattack, chasing down a long goal kick from goalkeeper Aleksa Janjic. Ohio State’s goalkeeper Max Trejo rushed off his line to intercept the play but collided with his own teammate, Siggi Magnusson, at the edge of the penalty area. The ball fell kindly to Pannholzer, who calmly walked it into the net for the decisive 1-0 lead.
Ohio State (16-2-4) had its chances, including a heart-stopping moment in the opening minutes when David Ajagbe’s header off a corner kick rattled the crossbar. But the Buckeyes couldn’t find the back of the net, thanks in part to a stellar performance from Janjic, who recorded five saves and even notched an assist on the game’s only goal.
Marshall’s Resilience Shines Through
Marshall’s journey to the final is a testament to their consistency and resilience. This marks their sixth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, and they’re no strangers to the big stage, having won the national championship in 2020. However, the victory didn’t come without its challenges. In the second half, Marshall’s Takahiro Fujita had to be stretchered off the field due to an injury and was replaced by Aleksandar Vukovic. Despite the setback, the Thundering Herd held firm against a relentless Ohio State attack.
Ohio State also faced adversity, both on and off the field. Just five minutes into the game, Donovan Williams exited with an apparent leg injury and was replaced by Nick McHenry. The Buckeyes were also without Nathan Demian, who remains hospitalized after being struck by an errant bullet in an off-campus shooting last Sunday. Demian, who had played a pivotal role in Ohio State’s 3-0 quarterfinal win over Wake Forest, cheered on his teammates from his hospital bed, providing a poignant reminder of the challenges the team has faced this week. See his message here.
Vermont Makes History in Thrilling Shootout
In the other semifinal, Vermont and Denver battled to a 1-1 draw through extra time before the Catamounts emerged victorious in a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout. Max Murray delivered the decisive goal, sending Vermont (16-2-5) to its first-ever men’s College Cup final. The Catamounts have been giant-slayers throughout the tournament, becoming just the third team in the past decade to defeat two top-four seeds in a single tournament. Last weekend, they took down No. 2 Pittsburgh, and now they’ve added No. 3 Denver to their list of victims.
Denver (15-4-4), making its second appearance in the national semifinals, struck first in the 69th minute when Sam Bassett scored his ninth goal of the season with a stunning chip over Vermont goalkeeper Niklas Herceg. The play was set up by Ian Smith, who saved the ball from going out of bounds and delivered a perfect pass to Bassett near the corner of the 18-yard box.
But Vermont refused to go quietly. Yaniv Bazini tied the game in the 84th minute with his 14th goal of the season, chesting down a lofted pass from Nathan Siméon before slotting it into the net. It was Vermont’s 16th goal this season scored in the 83rd minute or later, a testament to their never-say-die attitude.
Key Moments in the Shootout
The penalty shootout was a nail-biter. Vermont’s Herceg came up big, using his trail leg to block Ben Smith’s shot down the middle. Murray then stepped up and converted his attempt to give Vermont a 3-2 lead. The pressure fell on Denver’s Trevor Wright, but his left-footed shot glanced off the crossbar, sealing Vermont’s historic victory.
What’s Next?
Monday’s championship game between Marshall and Vermont promises to be a clash of styles and stories. Marshall brings experience and a championship pedigree, while Vermont is riding a wave of momentum and making history with every step. Will the Thundering Herd add another trophy to their collection, or will the Catamounts complete their Cinderella run? Tune in to find out!
- Match Details: Marshall vs. Vermont
- Date: Monday
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN2, ESPN+
One thing is certain: the College Cup final is set to be a must-watch event for soccer fans everywhere.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
