The mantra around Vermontap men’s soccer team during its incredible and still-alive NCAA Tournament run has been, “Underdogs? Nope, just dogs.”
Well, cats, technically. But give the Catamounts a chance late, and they’ll bury you like a bone.
That’s what they did to the University of Denver in a 1-1 (4-3 PKs) victory on Friday night in the semifinals of the College Cup at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
The result ended the Pioneers’ chase for a national title one win shy of the final. It also capped the college careers of nine seniors who DU coach Jamie Franks credited multiple times with helping build a College Cup squad for just the second time in program history.
“College sports is a time to use relationships to better ourselves, and what I’ve been most impressed by with this group and what I’ll miss most about them is their daily effort, intensity and commitment,” Franks said. “There’s probably been one or two times this whole season that I (had to) ask for that, and thatap just incredible. …
“This (group) is really special because of how many Colorado kids we have on the roster, how long I’ve known them as people and how long I’ve known their families. Itap a really special group and obviously, I’m disappointed not to be playing in the final.”
In another world, the Pioneers ran away with the national semifinal. Just ask senior forward Oje Ofunrein, who missed three glancing headers by a total of approximately 10 inches. Or Trevor Wright, who had a flicked-on header of his own hit the crossbar in the 6th minute.
If not for a player standing in the sightline of referee Sorin Stoica during a corner kick, a clear and obvious handball in the box upon replay may have put DU ahead in the 50th minute. By rule, Stoica could have stopped the match to look at the replay but opted against it.
“I just don’t know why we have VAR without using it. Itap just a really obvious handball,” Franks said. “The ref didn’t win or lose the game for us, but itap frustrating. Itap one of those where when we’re looking back, I’m sure there’s things we could have done better, but I’m just super proud of their effort and attitude the whole game.”
Midfielder Sam Bassettap 78th-minute stunner — a cross-turned-shot from 25 yards and an incredible angle tucked into the side-netting on the opposite side of goal — gave the Pios a 1-0 lead.
But being up a goal with a handful of minutes to go is never a guarantee. In the 84th minute, Vermont capitalized with its only shot on goal — DU had six — via a chested touch and nearly point-blank finish from Yaniv Bazini. The redshirt senior has scored in all five of Vermontap tournament matches.
Both teams survived the two 10-minute slugfests that followed. Then Wright was denied by the crossbar again in penalties and senior captain Ben Smith had his shot saved by Niklas Herceg. Vermont went perfect from the spot.
After beating San Diego in overtime in the round of 16, jumping on two mistakes over No. 2 Pittsburgh and besting the Pioneers in penalties, Vermont will face the winner of No. 1 Ohio State and No. 13 Marshall.
