CARY, N.C. — In a thrilling showdown, Max Murray netted the pivotal goal in a shootout, leading Vermont to a narrow 4-3 victory after the match against Denver concluded in a 1-1 tie following extra time. With this triumph, the Catamounts secured their place in the men’s College Cup final for the first time in the history of the program.

Vermont, now boasting a record of 16 wins, 2 losses, and 5 draws, made their debut in the College Cup and achieved the remarkable feat of being only the third team in the last ten years to defeat two top-four seeds within a single tournament. They had previously triumphed over the No. 2 seed Pittsburgh just a week prior. Over the course of the last three years, the Catamounts have celebrated ten victories in NCAA Tournament matches, which stands as the highest total among all programs in the NCAA.

On the other hand, Denver, who finished the season at 15 wins, 4 losses, and 4 draws, was competing in the national semifinals for the second time, having previously faced a defeat against Wake Forest in extra time during the 2016 tournament.

The tight contest saw Vermont’s goalkeeper, Niklas Herceg, make a critical save by blocking Denver’s Ben Smith’s attempt with his trailing leg. This pivotal moment set the stage for Murray to score during the shootout, providing Vermont a 3-2 edge. Denver’s Trevor Wright subsequently had his shot hit the crossbar, ultimately paving the way for Vermont’s advancement to the championship match scheduled for Monday.

Both teams entered the game with a strong defensive record, not permitting any goals in the tournament up to that point. The first half ended without any scoring. However, in the 69th minute, Denver’s Sam Bassett broke the deadlock, scoring his ninth goal of the season. Following a pass from Ian Smith near the end line, Bassett executed a well-placed chip shot over Herceg into the far corner of the net.

Vermont responded late in the game, as Yaniv Bazini scored the equalizer in the 84th minute, marking his 14th goal of the season. He displayed composure as he controlled a lofted pass from Nathan Siméon and deftly slotted it into the net. This goal marked Vermont’s sixteenth goal scored in the 83rd minute or later this season, showcasing their resilience in high-pressure moments.