Nick Lockermann scores game-winning goal in UVM soccer’s opening win
Nick Lockermann’s 73rd-minute goal broke the stalemate in Vermont men’s soccer’s 2-0 win over Sacred Heart on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.
After a pair of ties during its trip to the nation’s capital, Vermont soccer returned to Burlington to kick off a four-game homestand on Saturday, Sept. 6.
And the reigning NCAA champions treated the sellout crowd at Virtue Field to a first-half goalfest during the Catamounts’ 3-1 nonconference win over Lehigh.
Vermont, which dropped from No. 1 in the country to ninth in the latest United Soccer Coaches top-25 poll, pocketed three impressive goals over the first 45 minutes to end a two-game winless streak and improve to 3-0-2.
How did Vermont carve out the win? Read on below.
Marcel Papp to Maximilian Kissel for Vermont soccer’s opening goal
With one Ryan Zellefrow outlet down the left sideline, Vermont had a prime transition opportunity. And the duo of Marcel Papp and Maximilian Kissel didn’t waste it.
Papp gathered Zellefrow’s pass and, with the outside of his foot, curled the ball around a Lehigh defender for Kissel to race into open space for a breakaway chance. Kissel coolly deposited a low shot off Lehigh goalie Anton Kinnunen’s hand for the 1-0 lead in the 10th minute.
“I thought (Lehigh) had a good game plan to interrupt us in the build and starting our attack. But we got the goal out of it,” Vermont coach Rob Dow said.
David Ismail scores his first goal of 2025 season
Bloodied earlier in the match and needing to switch jerseys from No. 13 to No. 4, David Ismail provided a well-placed shot for a 2-0 Catamount advantage in the 39th minute.
Ismail collected a pass at the top of the 18, turned and took a couple dribbles before striking a low, lefty blast inside the right post. It was Ismail’s first tally since his unreal volley finish vs. Hofstra in the second round of last year’s NCAA Tournament.
Later in the half, Ismail collided with a Lehigh defender in the 18 and did not return.
TJ Liquori strikes for his first career goal for Vermont soccer
Jeremy Tsang’s hustle led to TJ Liquori’s first career goal for the Catamounts.
After losing possession near the 18, Tsang tracked down a Lehigh player and deflected his clear attempt. Tsang retrieved the loose ball and handed off to Phillipp Kuehn, who found Liquori in the box. The junior forward’s lefty shot caught the right deflection for Vermont, finding the back of the net with Kinnunen left flat-footed.
“Jeremy’s a great pressing player. And the decision to shoot, those are half-chances which can work out. That’s why you take half-chances,” Dow said.
Who’s next for Vermont soccer?
The Catamounts continue their homestand Tuesday, Sept. 9 when they play host to Dartmouth. Then they play Akron on Saturday, Sept. 13 and Hofstra on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Tickets are available at uvmathletics.evenue.net.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
