Vermont Green FC are Eastern Conference Champions for the first time in club history.
The Green defeated USL League Two giants Lionsbridge FC 3-1 in extra time on Friday night, springing the Vermonters into the National Semifinal. Goals from Ian Abbey, Arnaud Tattevin, and Owen O’Malley gave the Green a fourth consecutive come-from-behind win. The match was sold out, but the 2,700 fans with tickets were only a portion of those in attendance, as an estimated 1,000 more fans lined the north hill and surrounding areas.
Chris Taylor’s Starting XI: Niklas Herceg in goal. Moussa Ndiaye and Brandon Marshall at centerback, with Gabe Fernandez and Nathan Simeon at left and right back respectively. In the center, Diego Rived earned an important start and was paired with Ryan Zellefrow. In the attack, Zach Zengue sat centrally, flanked by Ian Abbey in his debut start on the left, and Alexander Hall out right. UVM’s Maximilian Kissel led the charge at center forward.
The match started as one might expect between two clubs of this caliber: full of action. Lionsbridge FC are juggernauts of the USL League Two, and came to the jam-packed Virtue Field unphased by the intimidating atmosphere. They hit the post in the second minute of the match before drawing first blood in the 40th minute. Evan Howard headed home a free kick and celebrated in front of the Green Mountain Bhoys. 1-0 Lionsbridge.
The Green, and Virtue Field Faithful, did not hang their heads. Just four minutes later, Zach Zengue rounded a defender and floated a cross into the box from the right. Ian Abbey, with tremendous technique, volleyed it out of the air, smashing it into the roof of the net. 1-1. Game on.
It was 1-1 at half-time, and the tensions were high going into the locker room.
After the break, Vermont Green FC came out flying. The Green were dominated in possession and peppered Lionsbridge keeper Henry Hampshaw, who made some sensational saves.
Chris Taylor called upon Eskil Gjerde, Julien Le Bourdoulous, Arnaud Tattevin, Rui Aoki, and Owen O’Malley off the bench to attempt to break the deadlock before the end of regulation.
While the Green looked the better side in the closing portion of the game, it was nearly Lionsbridge who found a winner. Deep in stoppage time, the ball ended up in the back of the Green net…but the referee called a foul in the lead up.
Into extra time for the first time in club history: two fifteen minute periods followed by penalties if the match is still tied.
In the 104th minute, Alexander Hall—who had been making the Lionsbridge defenders dizzy all evening—danced through the defense on the right side and laid a ball across to Arnaud Tattevin. The Frenchman thumped it into the back of the net despite a valiant attempt by the Lionsbridge defenders. 2-1 to the Green. Virtue bleachers bouncing.
In the 116th minute, two players who could easily share the “Mr. Vermont” moniker connected to seal the deal. Owen O’Malley ran straight at the heart of the Lionsbridge defense before dishing a ball off to Jacob Labovitz, who cut it back to O’Malley to poke home. 3-1 Green. Checkmate.
The Vermonters celebrated as they always do, enjoying every moment of this joyous undefeated campaign, and taking none of it for granted. The Green lifted the Eastern Conference Trophy with an air of gratitude and accomplishment, but also one they knew was not complete. In the words of Ryan Zellefrow: “Job’s not done.”
Vermont Green FC now advance to the USL League Two National Semifinal on Sunday night at 6:30pm at Virtue Field. The Green will face Southern Conference Champions Dothan United for a spot in the 2025 USL League Two Final.
Come on you Boys in Green.
Lineups
Vermont Green FC — Niklas Herceg, Nathan Simeon, Moussa Ndiaye, Brandon Marshall, Gabe Fernandez, Ryan Zellefrow, Diego Rived, Ian Abbey, Zach Zengue, Alex Hall, Maximilian Kissel.
Subs — Judewellin Michel, Julien Le Bourdoulous, Arnaud Tattevin, Brandon Parrish, Eskil Gjerde, Rui Aoki, Owen O’Malley, Jacob Labovitz, Mohammed Ibrahim.
Lionsbridge FC — Davide Materazzi, Ricardo Louis, Samuel Hall, Gabriel Rodriguez, Christian Hatley, Andrew Bennett, Damian Gallegos, Taig Healy, Lincoln Ulrich, Evan Howard, Henry Hampshaw.
Subs — Matheus Da Silva, Joshua Baker, Toby Mawer, Marcelo Lopes, Sam Delgado, Dalton Uehling, Damean Dominguez, Jason Purks.
Scoring Summary
LFC: Evan Howard — 40′ (assist from Andrew Bennett).
VGFC: Ian Abbey — 44’ (assist from Zach Zengue), Arnaud Tattevin — 104′ (assist from Alex Hall), Owen O’Malley — 116′ (assist from Jacob Labovitz).
Maple Man of the Match: Alex Hall
Referees:Jason Pelletier (R), Armand Kounga (AR1), Michele Beagan (AR2), Jace Laquerre (4th)
Weather: Warm summer night, 78°F
Attendance: 2,700 (in-stadium) and hundreds more on the hill. Biggest crowd in Virtue Field history!
Post Match Quotes
“Job’s not done” — #27 Ryan Zellefrow
Next Match
It’s the National Semifinal. 144 USL League Two clubs have been narrowed down to just four. This Sunday at 6:30pm, Vermont Green FC will play Dothan United at Virtue Field for a place in the 2025 USL League Two Final. Tickets to the match are sold out.
Credit: Patrick McCormack