**NCAA Tournament: Vermont Soccer vs. Hofstra Postgame News Conference**
Coach Rob Dow and star player David Ismail engaged with the media following Vermont soccer’s thrilling 2-1 triumph over Hofstra during the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
**Courtesy of UVM Athletics**
The resilience of Vermont soccer in late November has become a hallmark, as players display an array of dazzling strikes. What was once unexpected has now transformed into the norm for the Catamounts competing in the NCAA Tournament.
Vermont’s victory was marked by two standout goals: the first from Yaniv Bazini’s spectacular half-volley that opened the scoring, followed by David Ismail’s extraordinary, heel-over-head volley that shattered a second-half deadlock. This remarkable performance allowed Vermont to dispatch seventh-seeded Hofstra, clinching a 2-1 win in the tournament’s second round.
With this victory, the Catamounts (13-2-5) have advanced to the third round for the third consecutive year, setting up a match against San Diego (15-2-2) on Sunday, December 1, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
However, the path to victory was not without its challenges, as Vermont had to endure relentless pressure from Hofstra in the closing minutes, including one heartbreakingly disallowed goal that could have altered the match’s outcome.
Hofstra’s Roc Carles seemed poised to equalize the score at 2 with just 4 minutes and 7 seconds remaining in regulation, unleashing a right-footed shot from within the box. After a momentary pause, officials adjudicated that Jacob Woznicki had been in an offside position and obstructed UVM goalie Niklas Herceg’s view, ruling the would-be equalizer invalid.
Before this pivotal moment, Hofstra’s advances had already rattled the Vermont defense, striking the left post, while Herceg and his defenders displayed commendable poise against a series of threatening crosses and corner kicks.
Bazini ignited the scoreboard with a brilliant goal just seven minutes into the match. From his own half, Mike Bleeker launched a left-footed ball soaring approximately 50 yards, landing perfectly for Bazini who skillfully maneuvered against a Hofstra defender. The talented forward executed a precise half-volley, driving a low right-footed shot past the outstretched hand of Hofstra’s goalie, Filippo Dadone, marking the seventh NCAA Tournament goal of his illustrious career.
Vermont held strong with a 1-0 lead into halftime. However, the tide shifted in the 50th minute when the Pride managed to level the match. A swift counterattack saw Teddy Baker dash down the left flank, cutting back into the center before delivering a ground pass into the box. A fortuitous deflection off a Vermont defender redirected the ball to Woznicki, who capitalized with a powerful shot, equalizing the score.
Vermont’s response was both rapid and spectacular, featuring what could be one of the most memorable goals in the program’s history. Zach Barrett delivered an incisive chip into the box for a hard-charging Ismail. In a remarkable display of athleticism, he instinctively utilized his right heel to flick the ball overhead, then expertly connected with it before it hit the ground, scoring from an acute angle and outpacing the diving efforts of Dadone.
Herceg concluded the match with four decisive saves, ensuring that Vermont handed Hofstra its first home loss in 22 games. This victory adds to a growing legacy, as over the last three seasons, Vermont has accumulated seven NCAA Tournament wins—an impressive feat considering they had recorded only four in their entire history prior to this period. The Catamounts made a deep run to the quarterfinals in 2022 and fell just one victory short of reaching the College Cup semifinals. Last fall, they were eliminated by West Virginia in the Round of 16.
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What were the key moments that contributed to Vermont’s victory over Hofstra in the NCAA Tournament?
**NCAA Tournament: Vermont Soccer vs. Hofstra Postgame News Conference Interview**
*Interviewer:* Good afternoon, everyone! We have Coach Rob Dow and star player David Ismail from the Vermont Catamounts here with us today following your thrilling 2-1 victory over Hofstra in the NCAA Tournament. Coach, let’s start with you. How does it feel to secure another win in the tournament and advance to the third round?
*Coach Rob Dow:* Thank you! It feels fantastic. We’ve worked hard all season, and seeing the team perform under pressure is incredibly rewarding. The resilience they showed, particularly in the final minutes, truly exemplifies our growth as a team. We’re excited to progress to the next round and face San Diego.
*Interviewer:* The game was intense, especially down the stretch. Can you talk about the challenges your team faced, particularly during those final minutes?
*Coach Rob Dow:* Absolutely. Hofstra kept pushing and we had to defend vigorously to hold our lead. That disallowed goal was a nerve-wracking moment for us; it was a close call, and it could have changed the game entirely. But our defense, led by Niklas Herceg, held strong, and I’m proud of their composure under pressure.
*Interviewer:* David, you scored a spectacular goal that really turned the tide. Can you walk us through that moment?
*David Ismail:* Sure! It was an incredible feeling to score, especially in such a crucial match. The ball came to me after some beautiful buildup play, and I just took a shot instinctively. I knew we needed a goal to break the deadlock, and I’m just glad it went in. Teamwork was key, as it always is, and Yaniv’s earlier goal set the tone for us.
*Interviewer:* Yaniv Bazini’s half-volley opened the scoring early in the match. How do you think that early goal impacted your team’s mentality moving forward?
*David Ismail:* It gave us a real boost. Scoring so early can really change the dynamics of a game, and it made Hofstra come at us more aggressively, allowing us to exploit some spaces. Yaniv’s skill really set us up for success, and it was great to see our strategy play out as planned.
*Interviewer:* Your next opponent is San Diego, who also has a strong record this season. What will be the game plan heading into that match?
*Coach Rob Dow:* We’ll stick to our core principles—defensive solidity, combined with creativity in attack. San Diego is a tough opponent, but if we maintain our focus and intensity, I believe we can compete at a high level. We’ll review the footage from today and make sure we’re prepared for the challenges they will present.
*Interviewer:* Any final thoughts as you look to continue this fantastic run in the tournament?
*David Ismail:* It’s all about building on this momentum. We’ve made it this far, and we’re determined to go even further. The support from our fans makes a huge difference, and we can’t wait to get back on the field.
*Coach Rob Dow:* Yes, shoutout to our supporters! They inspire us every game. We’re ready for Monday’s challenge!
*Interviewer:* Thank you both for your insights and best of luck in the next round!
This concludes our postgame news conference, and we look forward to seeing Vermont’s next match against San Diego on December 1.