Expectations are as high as ever for UVM men’s soccer

BURLINGTON, VT – This fall could be one of the best for UVM men’s soccer in years. The Catamounts are the America East preseason favorite for the first time since 2008.

“It is a little bit of pressure but we like to say pressure’s a privilege here,” said defender Zach Barrett.

“Humbled by that acknowledgment just because we didn’t have the best finish in the league and America East playoffs,” said head coach Rob Dow.

Last season, the Catamounts were 4-3 in conference play and lost their first playoff game before making a deep run in the NCAA tournament. But the main goal for this season is to finish the job in the conference.

“The last time I was in a conference championship was in my sophomore year and that’s something that I’ve been dying to get back to.”

“[If] we can win that, we can set our eyes on the next prize.”

A prize that without the pressure this preseason ranking gives them, might not be attainable, according to Dow.

“If we’re going to be in the hunt for an NCAA championship, this is the target we need on our back.”

These Catamounts already have lofty goals. But why shouldn’t they? Over the last three seasons, the team has played in eight NCAA tournament games, winning five.

“There’s no reason not to say we have the best chance so far that I’ve seen,” said Dow.

The catamounts return some of their biggest stars such as last year’s goal-scoring leader Yaniv Bazini, who’s fresh off a 12-goal summer with the Vermont Green FC. The 2023 America East rookie of the year Nick Lockerman is back. Max Murray, who scored 10 goals in 2022, is hopeful to regain that form. And one of the best defenders in the league Barrett is hoping to go out on top.

When asked how good he thinks this experienced offense could be, Bazini said, “Very good. I think this [offensive] team will be fun to see. Vermont is gonna play beautiful soccer.”

Beautiful soccer is what we’ve come to expect from the Catamount men, but it hasn’t always been this way.

“Just to see the development of the program since I was a freshman…to now is completely different,” said Barrett. “We’ve all had a part in that, just raising the bar every year. That’s something I don’t take for granted.”

This year, they look to raise the bar again.

On the back line, the Cats did lose two shutdown defenders in Jake Ashford and Sebastian Gebhart, but competition is high to fill those spots. The starting goalie job has been won by grad student Lou Liedtka. He’s their third starting keeper in three years.

The regular season starts on the road against Western Michigan on Thursday… Their first home game isn’t until September 7.

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