Kissel's Late Heroics Rescue Vermont in 1-1 Draw with Georgetown
Catamounts striker strikes with five minutes remaining to cancel out Baker's first-half opener
Washington D.C. – Maximilian Kissel hammered home a dramatic equalizer in the 85th minute to salvage a 1-1 draw for Vermont against Georgetown at Virtue Field on Sunday afternoon, denying the Hoyas what appeared to be a well-earned victory in this hard-fought encounter.
Mitchell Baker had broken the deadlock for Georgetown just before the quarter-hour mark, converting clinically from Zach Zengue's precise assist to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage that they carried for more than 70 minutes. The striker's 12th-minute finish came from close range, rifling past Vermont goalkeeper Niklas Herceg after excellent buildup play down the right flank.
The Hoyas controlled large portions of the match, outshooting Vermont 15-12 and registering seven shots on target compared to the hosts' five. Georgetown's tactical discipline and patient possession-based approach frustrated the Catamounts throughout the opening period, with Diego Letayf and Matthew Helfrich anchoring the midfield effectively.
Vermont's best opportunities in the first half came from set pieces and quick transitions, but Georgetown goalkeeper Tenzing Manske stood tall when called upon. The Danish shot-stopper made four crucial saves, including a spectacular stop in the 40th minute that preserved his side's slender lead heading into the interval.
Both managers made significant tactical adjustments at halftime, with Vermont introducing fresh legs through Kissel, Gabriel Chavez, and Nicolas Loebus. The substitutions immediately shifted the momentum, as the Catamounts began pressing higher up the pitch and creating more dangerous attacking sequences.
The match's physicality increased considerably in the second period, with Georgetown accumulating four yellow cards compared to Vermont's two. Max Viera and Eric Howard both found themselves cautioned for unsporting behavior, while Timothy Logan received his booking for persistent fouling.
Georgetown appeared to have weathered Vermont's improved second-half performance until the crucial 85th minute. Kissel, who had been introduced at the break, found space in the penalty area and unleashed a powerful right-footed effort that flew into the top corner, leaving Manske with no chance. The unassisted strike sent the home crowd into raptures and completely changed the complexion of the final five minutes.
The drama didn't end there, as Georgetown immediately pushed forward seeking a winner. Baker nearly restored his side's advantage just moments after the restart, forcing Herceg into another outstanding save with a well-struck effort from 12 yards out. The Vermont keeper's reflexes proved crucial once again, diving full-stretch to tip the ball away from danger.
Tate Lampman proved a constant threat for Georgetown throughout the contest, registering three shots despite playing in defense. His ability to join attacks from deep positions caused Vermont problems all afternoon, though he was unable to find the target with any of his efforts.
The final whistle brought mixed emotions for both sides. Georgetown will rue their inability to close out what would have been a valuable road victory, having controlled the match for extended periods. Vermont, meanwhile, will take confidence from their resilient comeback performance, particularly the impact of their second-half substitutions.
The tactical battle between the two coaching staffs ultimately ended in stalemate, with Georgetown's early precision cancelled out by Vermont's late determination. Both teams demonstrated the competitive balance that makes college soccer so compelling, serving up an entertaining contest that showcased quality at both ends of the pitch.
Key Players
- Maximilian Kissel (Vermont) - Came off the bench to strike the crucial 85th-minute equalizer with a powerful right-footed finish - Mitchell Baker (Georgetown) - Opened the scoring with a clinical 12th-minute strike and remained dangerous throughout his 69 minutes on the pitch - Niklas Herceg (Vermont) - Made six crucial saves including several spectacular stops to keep his team in the match