BURLINGTON, VERMONT — Hofstra pulled off one of the tournament's biggest upsets Sunday, rallying past top-seeded Vermont 3-2 in overtime to advance in the NCAA Division I Championship. Playing in front of 2,630 fans at Virtue Field, the Pride scored twice in the second half to erase a one-goal deficit, then found the decisive moment deep into extra time when Laurie Goddard's shot found the back of the net in the 96th minute.
Vermont struck first when Philipp Kühn headed home a corner kick in the 13th minute, giving the Catamounts an early advantage. The goal came off service from Omar Robbana and Marcos Blasco Devesa, setting the tone for what appeared to be a dominant performance by the nation's top-ranked team. Hofstra's defense held firm for much of the first half, with goalkeeper Gino Cervoni making a crucial save on Maximilian Kissel's low shot in the 30th minute to keep the deficit manageable.
The second half brought a dramatic shift in momentum. Pablo Hempelmann-Perez equalized in the 65th minute with a header off a corner, assisted by Thengill Orrason and Goddard. Just two minutes later, Jan Ziewiec put Hofstra ahead with a composed finish, receiving the ball from Owen Barnett and Evangelos Chrysostomou. Vermont refused to fold, however. Rui Aoki headed home from another corner in the 84th minute to force overtime, with Omar Robbana providing the assist.
The match remained deadlocked through the first overtime period, with both teams creating chances but neither able to break through. Sean Bohan, who replaced Cervoni at halftime, made a crucial save on Marcell Papp's low shot to keep Hofstra alive. Vermont pressed aggressively in the final minutes of extra time, but Hofstra's defense held firm when it mattered most.
Goddard's winning goal came after sustained pressure from the Pride in the final moments of the first overtime period. The shot found the upper corner, sending Hofstra's bench into celebration and ending Vermont's tournament run. The victory marked a stunning turnaround for Hofstra, which entered the match as a significant underdog against the tournament's top seed. Hofstra now plays Furman.
Hofstra dominated possession in stretches but Vermont controlled the tempo for much of the match, recording 14 shot attempts compared to Hofstra's 10. The Catamounts earned eight corner kicks to Hofstra's two, reflecting their territorial advantage. Yet the Pride's clinical finishing in crucial moments—particularly in the second half—proved the difference. Bohan finished with three saves, while Niklas Herceg made two for Vermont.
The upset showcases Hofstra's resilience and attacking depth. The Pride's ability to rally from a deficit against the nation's best team, combined with their composure in overtime, demonstrates why they've won their last two tournament matches. For Vermont, the loss ends a dominant regular season and championship run, with the Catamounts unable to maintain their early advantage despite sustained pressure throughout.
Hofstra advances to face #16 Furman on November 29 in the next round of the NCAA Championship, carrying momentum from one of the tournament's most impressive victories.