BURLINGTON, VT – Vermont's Brian Wright scored three goals and added an assist as the Catamounts defeated the Rider University men's soccer team, 4-1, in the NCAA Tournament First Round Thursday night at Virtue Field. With the loss, the Broncs end their season at 13-4-3, while the Catamounts (14-6-1) advance to face 12th-seeded Virginia on Sunday in the second round.  

Broncs junior goalkeeper Ryan Baird (Plainfield, NJ/St. Peter's Prep [Rutgers]) was tested early and often, making 12 saves on 15 Vermont shots on goal. Vermont took a 22-18 edge in shots, including a 16-8 edge in shots on goal. The Broncs enjoyed a 6-0 margin in corner kick opportunities. Arthur Herpreck (Brest, France/West Brittany) scored the Broncs' lone goal in the 89th minute. 

“Every year, we dedicate the season to the seniors,” said Rider Head Coach Charlie Inverso. “This senior class came to Rider when the program was at an all-time low and they built it up to a place where we were nationally ranked this year and mentioned in the national rankings for 12 weeks. Back-to-back conference championships. They did the whole thing. 3.3 GPA as a class. They worked with kids in the community. For me, this class did it all. They got the program to an all-time high level. I'm very appreciative to have a group of guys like this. This program is only going to reach greater heights.”

Wright struck first in the 24th minute, finishing a Jon Arnar Barodal cross into the left of the net to put Vermont on top, 1-0. In the 43rd minute, Charlie DeFeo's through ball sprung Wright for a one-on-one opportunity with Baird and Wright found the back of the net to extend the Vermont lead to 2-0. 

A yellow card with five seconds left in the half gave Rider a dangerous free kick opportunity, but Matt Fryc's (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) shot went just wide of the right upper 90. 

After 25 scoreless minutes in the second half, Wright got into space in the box and patiently waited for Stefan Lamanna to join him. Wright led Lamanna for an easy tap-in goal and a 3-0 Vermont lead. 

The teams exchanged goals in the final three minutes of the game. The Broncs scored their lone goal in the 89th minute, as Herpreck found the back of the net. But Wright finished for the third time in the 90th minute for the hat trick and the 4-1 Vermont victory.