Vermont’s Cinderella Story Ends in Glory with First NCAA Soccer Title
In a night that will go down in college soccer history, the Vermont Catamounts completed their improbable Cinderella run to claim their first-ever NCAA championship in men’s soccer. The dramatic 2-1 victory over Marshall in sudden-death overtime on Monday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., was nothing short of electrifying.
Maximilian Kissel, the hero of the night, delivered the golden goal that sealed the deal for Vermont. The Catamounts, who entered the tournament as underdogs, defied all odds to bring home the program’s first national championship in a team sport. While Vermont’s skiing program has won six national championships, this marks a historic first for any team sport at the school. To add to the significance, Vermont also became the first America East team to ever reach a national title game in a team sport.
How It All Went Down
The game was a nail-biter from start to finish. Marshall, a team with championship pedigree after winning the 2020 national title, struck first in the 57th minute. Tarik Pannholzer, who has been on fire during the NCAA Tournament, scored his third goal of the postseason. Vermont’s first-year goalkeeper Niklas Herceg initially disrupted a cross from Rai Pinto, but Pannholzer was in the right place at the right time to bury the rebound and give Marshall a 1-0 lead.
But Vermont wasn’t about to let their dream end there. In the 81st minute, Marcell Papp brought the Catamounts back to life. After a Marshall turnover deep in their own territory, Papp executed a brilliant give-and-go with David Ismail to tie the game at 1-1. The equalizer sent Vermont fans into a frenzy and set the stage for a dramatic finish.
The Golden Goal
With the game tied and tension mounting, Maximilian Kissel stepped up in overtime to deliver the moment of a lifetime. Kissel chased down a long ball over the defense along the right sideline, outmaneuvering Marshall defender Alex Bamford, who slipped and fell. As Marshall goalkeeper Aleksa Janjic charged out of his area, Kissel coolly cut to his left and slotted the ball into an empty net. The celebration that followed was pure joy—Kissel ripped off his jersey and sprinted to the corner flag, where he was mobbed by his ecstatic teammates.
“It was surreal,” Kissel said after the game. “To score the winning goal in a national championship—it’s a dream come true.”
Key Moments and Stats
- This was the ninth championship game in the 21st century to be decided by overtime or penalty kicks.
- Vermont’s 16th goal this season in the 83rd minute or later came at the perfect time to secure the title.
- Marshall’s goalkeeper Aleksa Janjic made several clutch saves, including a one-on-one stop against David Ismail in the first half and a diving deflection on a Kissel shot in the 85th minute.
- Vermont’s Niklas Herceg also came up big, denying Haruhi Taneda’s close-range attempt in the 78th minute to keep the Catamounts within striking distance.
Despite the loss, Marshall showed why they are one of the top programs in college soccer. Their resilience and ability to compete at the highest level were on full display, but on this night, Vermont’s determination and grit proved to be the difference.
A Season to Remember
Vermont’s journey to the title was nothing short of magical. The Catamounts finished the season with a 16-2-6 record, a testament to their consistency and ability to perform in clutch moments. Their run to the championship captured the hearts of fans across the country, and their victory will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Vermont athletes.
For Marshall, the loss is a tough pill to swallow, but their 15-2-7 season and second College Cup appearance in program history are achievements to be proud of. They’ll undoubtedly be back in the mix for future titles.
What’s Next?
As the dust settles on an unforgettable College Cup, Vermont’s victory serves as a reminder of why we love sports. It’s about more than just wins and losses—it’s about the moments that bring us together, the underdog stories that inspire us, and the athletes who leave it all on the field. For the Catamounts, this is just the beginning of a new chapter in their program’s history. And for the rest of us, it’s a story we won’t soon forget.
Congratulations to the Vermont Catamounts, the 2024 NCAA men’s soccer champions!
Originally Written by: N/A
