SYRACUSE, NY – University of Vermont men’s soccer coach Rob Dow wanted his team to be a household name after dispatching UCLA in the NCAA Tournament.
They became that team Vermonters praise, and they grew into a group that future Catamounts will embrace.
“What it takes to lay a foundation for this program, these guys are entirely selfless and they’re the ones that got us here,” Dow said. “That group got us here and they’re the culture carriers, that’s your legacy.”
A veteran-laden group, with the backing of their community, forged a winning program through a pandemic, Friday night poker games and grueling Jay Peak training to stand toe-to-toe with Syracuse in the quarterfinals, ultimately falling 2-1 on Saturday .
“I think it’s one step further,” Dow said. “We get the opportunity to represent a state that exemplifies community, family and support for each other. In the state of Vermont, you come into the state and you feel like home.”
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Syracuse’s Levonte Johnson’s goal with 3:27 left in the first half was the difference as the Orange advanced to the College Cup in Cary, North Carolina.
But Vermont’s historic 14-deep upperclassmen squad, some with five years in green, finished with a 16-4-2 record matching the 1989 team’s run to the quarterfinals. UVM battled to a double-overtime win against Quinnipiac and stunned SMU before denying UCLA in front of a sold-out Burlington crowd. An unforgettable run combined with last year’s America East tournament championship win over New Hampshire and this senior crew’s lasting impressions on the program are written in the record books and with the future Catamounts.
“I can’t wait to see what the guys are coming up to do because I think they’ve got all the tools to do it and I can’t wait to see it,” fifth-year defender Garrett Lillie said.
Nate Silveira thwarted America East attackers for five seasons, earning conference goalie of the year twice and his denial of Johnson at the 25-minute mark of the first half kept Vermont even. Silveira, who soaked in the Virtue Field scenes well after the final whistle against UCLA, finished with three saves and a lifetime of memories.
“It’s bittersweet to leave but I think reflecting on my five years here I wouldn’t change anything,” Silveira said.
“I hope the guys who are still hanging around can take this loss and not just the loss, but in general the journey that we had this year and the ups and downs and just find a way to push the needle that much more forward. And continue to bring this program to higher and higher heights because I think that’s where it’s heading.”
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Vermont, despite quality chances, couldn’t crack Syracuse (17-2-4) a second time as the Orange held a one-goal lead in the second half. Junior Daniel Pacella’s one-time rocket from beyond the box was the lone tally for the Catamounts.
“I think kind of the combination up to this point has been kind of us showing how much work we put in and just kind of us always knowing that we’ve had the team to make it this far and even beyond,” Silveira said. “And it’s just kind of us wanting to let people know that they should respect us and know that Vermont is definitely a soccer state.”
After Alex Nagy, who remained in Burlington after DC United selected the midfielder in the MLS draft, and another seven Catamounts returned, there was a surplus of talent and experience with championship aspirations.
“There’s so many things going through your mind (after the game) you don’t realize it’s something that could be some of the best years of your life,” Lillie said. “And some of the best teammates of your life and teammates that you’re going to want to come back to see for the rest of your life and for me, that’s a guarantee.”
Dow’s hope of Vermonters bringing the 2022 squad into their homes was successful and survives with the program.
“(We’re) a team that never counts us out of games,” Dow said. “We’ve had some really special games at Virtue Field and we’ll remember these stories and they’re the ones who wrote the book.”
Contact Jacob Rousseau at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter: @ByJacobRousseau.