It was a night that no one will soon forget as Vermont Green FC claimed an upset victory in their U.S. Open Cup debut, defeating USL League One’s Lexington SC 4-3 in an absolute thriller in Burlington.
The sold-out crowd—braving 30 degree weather—did not have to wait long for the action to crest as the Green found the opening goal in just the fifth minute. Zach Barrett, the standout defender from the University of Vermont found himself unmarked at the back post, heading home a Nick Lockermann corner kick.
The goal provider became a goal scorer just five minutes later. Lockermann—also a UVM standout—headed home Yaniv Bazini’s corner kick. A dream start for the Vermonters as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead just ten minutes into the match.
The action did not subside, the visiting professionals from Kentucky got themselves on the scoresheet in the 20th minute when Issac Cano finished his chance from close range. It was the Lexington local’s first goal as a professional soccer player.
The Green did not wait long to land the next blow, firing back in the 24th minute when Yaniv Bazini unleashed Gerardo Castillo down the left side, who crossed the ball precisely to crashing center forward Jacob Labovitz. Labovitz smashed Castillo’s cross between the Lexington keeper’s legs. It was his first goal for Vermont, and sent the Green into half-time with an unexpected 3-1 lead.
After the break, Vermont added a fourth goal in the 50th when Jake Ashford sliced home a loose ball off yet another corner kick. It was pandemonium at Virtue Field as the fans enjoyed a remarkable 4-1 lead. The security of that lead did not last long, and Lexington SC turned things up to battle back.
The visitors from Kentucky ignited their marquee off-season signing Cameron Lancaster in the final act of the match. The North Londoner scored in the 60th minute on an exquisitely placed free kick, and again in the 78th as he powered an acrobatic shot past Vermont goalkeeper Nathan Schnur.
Schnur pulled off his own acrobatics in the final minutes of the match, saving a close range shot low to his right. Moments later, his comrade and captain Jake Ashford added one more herculean defensive effort: clearing the potential game-tying goal off the line.
The Boys in Green battled throughout the five minutes of injury time, fighting with heart and adrenaline, the raucous crowd pushing them forward. Their performance on the pitch to protect the 4-3 lead could only be matched by the relentless effort of the over 2,500 fans willing them forward with their voices.
When the final whistle blew, Vermont Green FC claimed their first-ever U.S. Open Cup victory in the tournament’s Green Mountain State debut. Absolute scenes.
The Vermonters now await their second round draw. The match is expected to take place April 2nd or 3rd, and could be home or away.
