Their season hasn’t officially started, but already the reigning champs have managed to score a goal on national television.
ESPN visited Burlington last week to spotlight the 2024 NCAA Division 1 champion University of Vermont men’s soccer team as part of a barnstorming, 50-state tour of sports excellence for its flagship show, “SportsCenter.” Host Skubie Mageza was interviewing coach Rob Dow live on air during a preseason tune-up match against Providence College when the Catamounts netted their second of four goals in a shutout win.
“We got a goal, coach!” Mageza interjected as Dow was answering a question on the sideline. “What about that? Live on TV!”
The segment underscored how quickly Vermont has transformed into a soccer state, with the Green Mountains now home to the best men’s college team in the country and the champions of the preprofessional USL League Two, Vermont Green FC.
Despite losing 13 players from last year’s Cinderella run in the NCAA tournament, the Catamounts snagged the preseason No. 1 ranking and appeared hungry for a repeat run.
“I think what makes us so strong,” sophomore defender Nick Lockermann told ESPN over ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s, “is that we know what it takes now.”
In prerecorded segments, Mageza donned Catamounts gear and pretended to try out for the squad during the 13-minute piece that aired alongside Dow’s live interview on ESPN2 last Friday afternoon. He reenacted junior Max Kissel’s epic game-winning goal during the national championship match against Marshall and sat in the stands with fans who turned out for the preseason exhibition.
The ESPN host revealed that UVM has already sold roughly 1,200 season tickets — enough to fill half the bleachers at Virtue Field.
“The hype around here is real,” Mageza said.
“SportsCenter” visiting Virtue Field was “certainly a top-notch PR event for the department and program,” assistant director of athletic communications Nate Scandore said.
Now, the hard part: The Catamounts’ title defense kicks off this Thursday, August 21, with a home match against Sacred Heart, followed by a matchup on Sunday, August 24, against Boston University. The women’s squad next plays at home against Yale on Friday, August 22.