DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE - Nicolas Loebus needed just 36 minutes to write the story of Vermont's dominance, slotting home a precise through ball from David Ismail before a crowd of 842 fans at Wildcat Stadium. The early goal set the tone for what became a one-way contest, ultimately ending 3-0 in favor of the visiting Catamounts and extending New Hampshire's losing streak to two games.
The early breakthrough allowed Vermont to establish a defensive posture that New Hampshire struggled to penetrate. The Wildcats managed just one shot on target across 90 minutes, a damning statistic that encapsulates their offensive struggles against a well-organized Vermont backline. Vermont's goalkeeper made three saves to preserve the shutout, while New Hampshire's counterpart faced just one shot on target.
In the first half, Vermont's tactical approach was clear: control the midfield and exploit New Hampshire's defensive vulnerabilities. David Ismail's incisive passing and Gabriel Chavez's intelligent movement created multiple scoring opportunities, with Ismail ultimately doubling the lead just after halftime. His second-half goal, assisted by Chavez and Ryan Zellefrow, came at 47:57, putting the game beyond New Hampshire's reach.
The Wildcats' best chance of the opening 45 minutes came through a set piece, but their corner kick attempts failed to trouble Vermont's goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Vermont's counter-attacking threat remained potent, with Loebus and Andrew Millar causing problems for New Hampshire's defense. The Catamounts' third goal, scored by Millar in the 69th minute, was the culmination of a beautifully weighted through ball from Philipp Kuehn and a perfectly timed run from Ryan Zellefrow.
As the second half wore on, New Hampshire's frustration grew, reflected in their increasing physicality - both teams finished with three yellow cards. Vermont, meanwhile, continued to dictate the pace, outshooting their hosts 9-6 overall and holding a commanding 6-1 advantage in shots on target. The statistical ledger reveals a comprehensive performance from the Catamounts, who controlled the game from start to finish.
The victory represents more than three points for Vermont, who remain unbeaten in conference play (3-0-1) and improve to 9-0-5 overall. They now prepare to face Bryant, looking to build on their momentum against a challenging opponent. For New Hampshire, the loss continues a worrying trend - their third shutout defeat in five games, exposing offensive deficiencies that must be addressed before their next match against NJIT.
The afternoon belonged to Vermont - and specifically to their attacking trio of Loebus, Ismail, and Millar. As the Catamounts celebrated their third consecutive clean sheet, New Hampshire's coaching staff faced the unenviable task of rekindling their team's offensive spark. The Wildcats' next challenge is to regroup and respond against NJIT, while Vermont looks to maintain their unbeaten conference record.
Key Players:
Nicolas Loebus (Vermont) – The match-winner showed clinical finishing, timing his run perfectly to slot home Ismail's through ball and giving New Hampshire's defense no chance.
David Ismail (Vermont) – Controlled the game with his intelligent distribution, creating multiple scoring chances through precise through balls that unlocked New Hampshire's defense.
Andrew Millar (Vermont) – Sealed the win with a composed finish, capitalizing on a beautifully weighted through ball from Kuehn and Zellefrow's intelligent movement.
Ryan Zellefrow (Vermont) – Orchestrated Vermont's second-half dominance, providing crucial assists and creating chaos with his dynamic movement that New Hampshire struggled to contain.