University of Vermont fans watch as the UVM men’s soccer team scores the winning goal in overtime to defeat Marshall University in the Division I national championship at Nectar’s in Burlington on Monday, Dec. 16. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDiggerBURLINGTON — The University of Vermont men’s soccer team lived up to its “Cardiac Cats” nickname Monday night, scoring late in the second half to send the NCAA national championship game into overtime before netting a golden goal to secure a 2-1 victory over Marshall University.It was a historic night for the unseeded Catamounts, which won its first title in program history thanks to sudden death overtime goal from Maximilian Kissel, a junior forward from Germany.While the game took place in North Carolina, the energy was palpable at Nectar’s in Burlington, where more than 100 fans gathered for a watch party. The venue buzzed with excitement as free food and raffle tickets were handed out, and yellow-and-green bead necklaces sailed through the crowd — people mingled, snacked and sipped drinks while waiting for the game to start.Most of the crowd consisted of University of Vermont students and recent graduates, but at one table, four retirees proudly donned UVM’s signature green and gold — matching caps and cheek stickers included — to demonstrate their unwavering support for the team.After a scoreless first half, Marshall struck first, with senior forward Tarik Pannholzer scoring in the 67th minute. The Marshall goal left the Nectar’s crowd frustrated. But the equalizer came in the 81st minute from forward Marcell Papp, a graduate student from Hungary. The goal brought life back to the UVM fans at Nectar’s, prompting chants of “Go cats go.”Less than five minutes into overtime, Kissel beat Marshall goalkeeper Aleksa Janjic one-on-one to claim the 2024 College Cup trophy for the Catamounts. Marshall, ranked No. 13, previously won the NCAA’s College Cup in 2020. READ MORE UVM men’s soccer team advances to NCAA tournament after winning America East championship by Olivia Hagios November 18, 2024, 4:42 pmNovember 18, 2024, 4:51 pm On the big screen, UVM coach Rob Dow wiped away tears as he hoisted the NCAA cup. Inside Nectar’s, Queen’s “We Are The Champions” blared through the speakers. Fans laughed, cheered and sang along as they made their way outside.Read the story on VTDigger here: UVM men’s soccer wins 2024 NCAA tournament, earning 1st national title in program history.