Featured Columnist IVDecember 17, 2024
Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Vermont Catamounts are national champions in men’s soccer.
Vermont defeated Marshall 2-1 in overtime in the 2024 Men’s College Cup final on Monday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Maximilian Kissel scored the game-winner in the extra period after Marcell Papp connected from the top of the box for the equalizer in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
NCAA Soccer @NCAASoccer
A golden moment for the Catamounts 🤩#MCollegeCup x 🎥ESPN2 / @UVMmsoccer pic.twitter.com/se9J3TGMDE
NCAA Soccer @NCAASoccer
VERMONT WITH THE EQUALIZER 😱#MCollegeCup x 🎥ESPN2 / @UVMmsoccer pic.twitter.com/XBlaZktq8K
Kissel’s goal came after he broke free on a long ball and capped off Vermont’s Cinderella run that ended in the program’s first-ever College Cup. The team’s full run that included victories over Denver, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Hofstra and Iona can be found on the NCAA’s official bracket.
As for Marshall, it fell just short of winning its second national championship in five years. It won the 2020 title and was in position to climb the mountaintop again when Tarik Pannholzer scored the game’s first goal in the second half.
However, Vermont’s late flurry proved to be the difference.
A low-scoring game was anything but a surprise.
After all, Vermont allowed just two goals in the tournament entering play Monday, while Marshall allowed just three. The Herd also stunned the college soccer world when they held the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes scoreless in a 1-0 victory in the semifinals.
Ohio State created 20 shots after falling behind, but Marshall’s defense didn’t fold a single time.
It didn’t fold out of the gates in Monday’s final either, as both teams were scoreless in the first half. While Vermont created some early scoring chances, Marshall goalkeeper Aleksa Janjic impressed with key saves to keep the game knotted at zero:
NCAA Soccer @NCAASoccer
ALEKSA JANJIC IS A BRICK WALL 🧱#MCollegeCup x 🎥ESPN2 / @HerdMSoccer pic.twitter.com/QGlilie6py
Janjic’s strong play in the first half seemed even more important when the Herd found the back of the net with fewer than 24 minutes remaining.
Pannholzer was in the right spot at the right time and buried a rebound opportunity, giving him another massive moment in the tournament. He also scored Marshall’s only goal in the semifinal victory, cementing his place in program history.
NCAA Soccer @NCAASoccer
PANNHOLZER PUTS MARSHALL ON THE BOARD! 🦬#MCollegeCup x 🎥ESPN2 / @HerdMSoccer pic.twitter.com/aMwxGoDS96
Just when it looked like the Herd were going to win, Papp forced overtime with his timely finish.
That set the stage for Kissel to play the role of hero, and he took full advantage.
