UVM soccer celebrates second straight America East tournament crown
Vermont soccer blanks Bryant 2-0 for the 2025 America East tournament crown at Virtue Field on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Editor’s note: For game story, visit HERE.
Vermont soccer has a rematch on its hands in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
The defending national champion Catamounts (14-0-5) will play host to Hofstra (13-5) at Virtue Field on Sunday, Nov. 23. Vermont defeated Hofstra in last year’s second round and also topped the Pride 2-1 during the 2025 regular season at home.
Vermont is the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament. The Catamounts carry a 29-game unbeaten streak into the match.
For details on Vermont soccer vs. Hofstra, including streaming information and live updates throughout the match, see below:
Laurie Goddard with an absolute rip with his left foot and Hofstra eliminates defending champion Vermont. Daniel Burko lays off ground pass in the box on a Hofstra counter, and Goddard with a clinical finish to send Hofstra to the third round.
No. 1 seed Vermont ends season at 14-1-5. Cats’ 29-game unbeaten streak, the nation’s longest, also over.
End of regulation: Vermont 2, Hofstra 2
Thanks to Rui Aoki’s 84th minute header goal, the defending national champion Catamounts force overtime vs. Hofstra. Vermont continues to find late magic in the NCAA Tournament.
84th minute: Vermont 2, Hofstra 2
Unreal: Vermont strikes for the equalizer in the late stages. Rui Aoki rises for header via Omar Robbana’s lefty corner.
83rd minute: Hofstra 2, Vermont 1
Officials review for a potential penalty kick for Vermont ruled no foul. Play continues.
78th minute: Hofstra 2, Vermont 1
Marcell Papp nearly gets a touch on David Ismail’s long cross with pace. The run had Papp in prime position for a redirect on frame, but he was just out of reach of Ismail’s dangerous ball.
77th minute: Hofstra 2, Vermont 1
Promising attack yields a Vermont corner. But the header on the service goes well over the bar.
68th minute: Hofstra 2, Vermont 1
And just like that, Hofstra has the lead. Another poor Vermont clearance out of the box falls to Evangelos Chrysostom, who finds Owen Barnett. Barnett chips for Jan Ziewiec, who beats Vermont goalie Niklas Herceg to the ball with a toe poke from the edge of the goalie box and 2-1 Hofstra advantage.
66th minute: Vermont 1, Hofstra 1
Pablo Hempelmann-Perez heads in the tying goal for Hofstra. Following a Hofstra throw-in into the box, a poor Vermont clearance was sent back into the 18. Laurie Goddard nodded toward the back post, where Thengill Orrason then headed in front of net. Hempelmann-Perez, on his birthday, goes to ground to provided the header from close range to level the contest.
61st minute: Vermont 1, Hofstra 0
Vermont goalie Niklas Herceg with a big save on Laurie Goddard’s 20-yard restart. Hofstra earned the free kick after a Niels Hartman yellow card outside the box.
60th minute: Vermont 1, Hofstra 0
Maximilian Kissel with a couple break chances off Hofstra turnovers. The Pride defend well to avoid any shots on frame. Vermont’s defense, meanwhile, staying composed and disciplined. Hofstra not really getting good looks as it searches for equalizer.
Halftime: Vermont 1, Hofstra 0
Kuhn’s goal via a corner kick the game’s lone goal through 45 minutes. Vermont shakes off sluggish opening few minutes to take control of this NCAA Tournament second-round game here at sold-out Virtue Field. Hofstra started committing fouls in the final 10 minutes of the half (11-11 Hofstra overall).
Shots even at 5.
35th minute: Vermont 1, Hofstra 0
Shots even at 4. Vermont with 4-2 edge on corners. Catamounts also have doubled up Hofstra on foul calls (10-5).
13th minute: Vermont 1, Hofstra 0
Vermont strikes first. Omar Robbana’s corner finds Marcos Blasco, who heads back across goal and to far post. The ball skips off a Hofstra defender and falls to Philipp Kuhn, who taps it in for his third goal of the season. Officials review upholds goal (Kuhn ruled not in offside position).
10th minute: Vermont 0, Hofstra 0
Hofstra with the early chances and a 3-0 edge on shots. Vermont goalie Niklas Herceg forced to make save on bending rip to left post.
Vermont soccer vs Hofstra starters for NCAA Tournament second round
Vermont starters: Niklas Herceg (goalie), Omar Robbana, Andrew Millar, Niels Hartman, David Ismail, Marcos Blasco, Nico Loebus, Toby Grant, Ludvig af Ugglas, Philipp Kuhn, Rui Aoki.
Hofstra starters: Gabriel Pacheco, Owen Barnett, Stefano Campisi, Samuel Francou, Pietro Santi, Jan Ziewiec, Daniel Burko, Thengill Orrason, Laurie Goddard, Gino Cervoni (goalie), Aleksei Armas.
How to watch Vermont soccer vs Hofstra
Vermont soccer vs Hofstra will stream on ESPN+, which is ESPN’s subscription-based streaming service.
Vermont soccer vs Hofstra game time in NCAA Tournament
- Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
- Start time: 1 p.m. ET
Vermont soccer vs Hofstra game starts at 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 23, at Virtue Field in Burlington, Vermont.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
