Vermont defeats Denver in PKs to advance to first-ever Men's College Cup final

Yaniv Bazini knots it up in the 84th minute off a wild pass from teammate Nathan Simeon. This is Bazini's 14th goal of the season. 

The equalizer! x 🎥 ESPNU /

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer)

The Pioneers break the stalemate with an absolute banger from Sam Bassett in the 69th minute. The goal is his 9th of the season.

. WHAT DID YOU JUST DO!!!! | |

— Denver MSoccer (@DU_MSoccer)

Fifteen minutes in and it's been all Denver in the Vermont half, earning two corners and two shots to the Catamounts' zero. The Vermont fans and their cowbells are making themselves heard and seen, occupying the section behind the Catamount bench with green and yellow scarves and furry yellow hats. The red Pios' fan base is sprinkled throughout the stadium but their drum guy in the stands is keeping the volume up.

Fan support >>>>>>>

— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer)

Here are the starting lineups for the 2024 Men's College Cup semifinal between Denver and Vermont:

Let's take a look at how the Pioneers and Catamounts line up:

🔴🟡 Denver Pioneers (15-3-4)

The Pioneers entered the 2024 tournament as the No. 3 seed, earning a first round bye. They cruised to Cary by not allowing a goal in three tournament games. This solidifies their top-10 national ranking in goals allowed, surrendering just 17 all season. This is Denver's second trip to the Men's College Cup, first making an appearance in 2016 when it was knocked out by Wake Forest. 

Senior midfielder Sam Bassett leads his team and is third in the country with 13 assists, including three in the tournament so far. Basset also sits second on goals on his team (8), just one behind senior forward Oje Ofunrein. As a team, Denver ranks seventh nationally in goal differential (26), and it will look to extend this stat against the Catamounts as the Pioneers search for their first national title. 

🐆 Vermont Catamounts (15-2-5)

The Catamounts had a different path to the College Cup, receiving an automatic bid by winning the America East tournament. Vermont has played spoiler this tournament, taking down Iona, No. 7 Hofstra, San Diego and No. 2 Pitt en route to Cary. While outscoring its opponents 10-1 to reach the semifinals, the Catamounts were tested in their third round matchup with San Diego. But senior forward Yaniv Bazini buried the game-winning penalty kick in overtime to keep Vermont dancing into the quarterfinals. 

Carrying momentum from the overtime thriller, Vermont took down No. 2 Pitt, 2-0, to punch its first ever ticket to the Men's College Cup.

This matchup should be a defensive battle, as the Catamounts are also top-10 in goals allowed, tied with the Pioneers at 17. Remarkably, Vermont is almost tied in goal differential as well (28), just two goals ahead of Denver's 26. Vermont's sophomore forward Sydney Wathuta sits second nationally in assists (14), just one ahead of Denver's Sam Bassett. 

The Catamounts' overtime hero, Bazini, leads his team with 13 goals, and they will look to him again as Vermont looks to spoil another top-seeded team in Cary. 

It's a game day, the 2024 Men's College Cup is here. No. 3 Denver takes on Vermont in the first semifinal matchup, with No. 1 Ohio State battling No. 13 Marshall after.  

Here's all the information needed to watch the Denver-Vermont Men's College Cup matchup:

• 🗓️ Date: Friday, Dec. 13
• ⏰ Time: 5:06 p.m. ET
• 📺 TV: ESPNU
• 📍Location: WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, NC 
• 📊 Follow: Live scores and stats

We will be live blogging the game here on krikya18.com.