SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Vermont (10-0-5) continued their unbeaten season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bryant (13-1-2) on Saturday afternoon at Beirne Stadium. The win extended Vermont's unbeaten streak to seven matches while ending Bryant's 13-game unbeaten run.
Philipp Kuehn proved to be the difference-maker for Vermont, scoring twice in the first half. His first goal came in the 3rd minute off an assist from Andrew Millar, and he doubled the advantage in the 29th minute with Marcell Papp providing the setup. Bryant's Santiago Blasco Gomez pulled one back in the 70th minute after being set up by Jaime Amaro, but the Bulldogs couldn't find an equalizer.
The first half saw Vermont establish control early through Kuehn's clinical finishing. The Catamounts' defensive unit, anchored by Nicolas Loebus and Gabriel Chavez, effectively contained Bryant's attacking threats. David Ismail and Rui Aoki created several dangerous opportunities, with Ismail forcing a save in the 15th minute. Bryant's Mamadi Jiana and Tiago Dias responded with attempts in the 25th and 33rd minutes respectively, but couldn't convert.
Bryant showed more urgency after the break, with Augustine Boadi and Fermin Rodriguez generating increased pressure. The tactical shift led to several promising attacks, culminating in Blasco Gomez's goal. Vermont's Niklas Herceg received a yellow card for time-wasting in the 64th minute as the Catamounts sought to manage the game. Both teams made multiple substitutions, with Vermont's Ryan Zellefrow and Bryant's Jorge Veintimilla entering to provide fresh legs in the attacking third.
The statistical battle reflected the match's competitive nature. Bryant outshot Vermont 15-6, but the Catamounts were more efficient with four shots on target compared to Bryant's five. The Bulldogs held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks, while Vermont's goalkeeper made four crucial saves to preserve the victory.
Individual performances shaped the outcome significantly. Kuehn's clinical finishing proved decisive, while Marcell Papp's defensive work and assist highlighted his two-way contribution. Bryant's Mamadi Jiana created constant danger with three shot attempts, while Tiago Dias's midfield presence helped drive the Bulldogs' second-half resurgence.
Tactically, Vermont's approach focused on quick transitions and efficient finishing, converting two of their six shots. Bryant's possession-based strategy generated more opportunities but lacked the final touch, particularly in a second half where they dominated possession but couldn't find the equalizer.
The result maintains Vermont's impressive unbeaten record (10-0-5) while dealing Bryant their first loss of the season. The Catamounts' defensive organization and clinical finishing demonstrated why they remain undefeated, while Bryant's resilient second-half performance showed their quality despite the setback.
Both teams face quick turnarounds with crucial matches ahead. Vermont returns home to face UAlbany on October 31, while Bryant looks to bounce back against NJIT on the same date. The match served as a testament to both teams' quality, with Vermont's efficiency ultimately proving the difference in a tightly contested affair.