Match Report: Vermont Green FC 2-1 AC Connecticut

Vermont Green FC emerged victorious on the road Tuesday night in Danbury, CT, defeating AC Connecticut 2-1 in a match where the Green controlled the play from first whistle to the final. 

Adam Pfeifer’s starting group included goalkeeper Jahiem Wickham, in front of him the three center backs Moussa Ndiaye, Sam Layton and Reid Fisher. The four-man midfield consisted of Gerardo Castillo and Nathan Siméon on the wings with Rodri and Nick Lockermann roving the center. In attack, Yaniv Bazini and Jackson Castro sat just behind the line-leading Jacob Labovitz. 

Vermont Green looked to be their usual selves starting the match, controlling the possession and creating threatening chances on goal. Within the first 15 minutes, the Connecticut keeper was peppered with shots, including one that rang the crossbar. 

In the 22nd minute, Jacob Labovitz laid the ball off to Yaniv Bazini who struck it with venom from 20 yards out, scoring low to the keeper’s left. The goal was Bazini’s ninth of the season, the best goalscoring record in the nation.

The Green were not untested though, as former Vermont Green FC striker Sam McCann got in behind the center backs on more than one occasion, forcing big saves from Wickham. 

The Green went into the break up 1-0.

With no changes in the lineup, the Green came out of the gates in the second half looking to play their same game. In the 56th minute, Jackson Castro’s corner kick found the head of Reid Fisher at the near post, who flicked the ball onto the back post where Rodri was waiting to gently volley the ball home, doubling the Green lead.

In the 80th minute, the game was made interesting for the Vermonters as Sam McCann was finally rewarded for his perseverance, slotting one past Wickham on a well-executed counterattack. The goal forced Vermont Green FC into an intense final ten minutes, but they found their calm and closed the game out, collecting a much needed three points as the playoff race continues in the Northeast Division. 

Vermont Green FC will not play a league game for over a week, hosting Boston City FC at Virtue Field on Wednesday, June 26th at 7pm.

Scoring Summary

VGFC: Yaniv Bazini – 22′ (assist from Jacob Labovitz), Rodrigo Vaza 56′ (assist from Reid Fisher).