CARY, N.C. – Maximilian Kissel scored in sudden-death overtime to help Vermont beat Marshall 2-1 in the program’s first national championship on Monday night.

It was the ninth championship game in the 21st century to be decided by extra time or a penalty shootout.

Vermont (16-2-6) became the first team in school history to win a national championship in a team sport – with the ski program winning six championships. The Catamounts also became the first America East team to ever play in a national title game in a team sport.

Marshall (15-2-7) was looking to capture the program’s second national title in as many College Cup appearances since winning the 2020 national championship.

Kissel was the first to play a long ball over the defense along the right touchline and headed it forward as defender Alex Bamford fell to the ground. Marshall goalkeeper Aleksa Janjic came out of his penalty area and Kissel cut to the left before sending a shot into the empty net. Kissel tore off his jersey and ran to the corner flag to celebrate with his team.

It was Vermont’s 16th goal of the season in the 83rd minute or later.

Kissel’s teammate Marcell Papp equalized in the 81st minute after a back and forth with David Ismail after Marshall lost the ball deep in his own penalty area to make it 1-1.

Kissel nearly gave Vermont a 2-1 lead in the 85th minute after pushing back his defender on a breakaway in the penalty area, but Janjic dove to his right and deflected the ball just past the post.

Janjic made a huge save midway through the first half when he denied Ismail in a one-on-one.

Tarik Pannholzer scored his third goal of the season – all in the NCAA Tournament – in the 57th minute to give Marshall the lead. Vermont first-year goalkeeper Niklas Herceg blocked a cross from Rai Pinto and Pannholzer was there to take the rebound.

Herceg kept it 1-0 after parrying Haruhi Taneda’s close-range attempt in the 78th minute.