Vermont men's soccer finishes with best national ranking in program history
The University of Vermont men's soccer team achieved its highest national ranking in program history following its deepest NCAA Tournament run in over 30 years.
The Catamounts garnered one first place vote and totaled 168 points to land at No. 4 in the final United Soccer Coaches poll of the 2022 season, which was released earlier this week. The Catamounts reached the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals for the first time since 1989, dropping a 2-1 decision to eventual national champion Syracuse.
Vermont finished at 16-4-2, its most wins since that 1989 campaign, and won a pair of home NCAA tourney games on the strength of a senior-driven squad.
"Our national ranking is another sentiment to our historic season, and our Catamount family should be proud of this accomplishment," UVM coach Rob Dow said in a statement. "We're excited to implement this merit as motivation as we head into our offseason preparing for 2023."
More:Vermont men's soccer seniors usher new era for program
More:How COVID season propelled Vermont men's soccer to NCAA Tournament quarterfinals
During a memorable fall, the Catamounts first cracked the top 25 on Sept. 24. They climbed to the 10th spot during a nation-leading 11-game winning streak and reached the eighth position on Nov. 1 after besting America East rival New Hampshire 2-1 at Virtue Field.
After a surprise upset loss in the conference semifinals to Albany, Vermont earned an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament and hosted Quinnipiac in a first-round tilt. The Catamounts overcame a late 2-1 deficit for a 3-2, double-overtime win.
More:How UVM men's soccer turned into a nationally ranked program
Then at Southern Methodist University in the next round, the Cats roared back from a 2-0 halftime deficit for another 3-2 triumph, setting up a home third-round matchup vs. four-time national champion UCLA. The hosts rolled with a trio of second-half goals in the 3-0 victory before seeing their season halted by the Orange, one win shy of the College Cup.
On the season, Vermont matched program records for goals (46) and consecutive shutouts (7). The Cats also held opponents scoreless for a consecutive stretch of 792:44, a program record.
Nagy named to All-America team
After a 9-goal, 9-assist fifth season in Burlington, midfielder Alex Nagy became the first Catamount to earn All-America first-team honors. Nagy, picked in last year's MLS draft by D.C. United, also landed on first teams for America East and All-Northeast.
In all, 10 Catamounts picked up all-league honors and five clamed all-region recognition. Forward Max Murray, defender Noah Egan and two-time America East goalie of the year Nate Silveira joined Nagy on the all-league first team.
Forward Yaniv Bazini, midfielders Yves Borie and Adrian Schulze Solano and junior defender Zach Barrett made America East second team and freshman forward Noe Coutino earned all-rookie honors.
For All-Northeast, Nagy and Egan were named to the first team, Barrett to second team and Murray and Silveira on third team.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont men's soccer: Catamounts finish fourth in national rankings
