Vermont Green FC headed down to Ludlow, Massachusetts in a much different mindset than it had in 2025. After needing a point to clinch a division title last July, Vermont entered the game having already secured the division trophy. Still, Vermont was able to secure a 4-2 win in a rollercoaster of a match.
Seth Wilson started in goal behind the backline of Nikos Clarke-Toszcak, Brandon Marshall, Nicholas McHenry, and Halim Bangura. Joe Picotto and Diego Letaf made up the midfield while Samson Kpardeh and Diego Rosas were on the wings. Ryan Zellefrow as usual was the No. 10 while Jeremy Francouu was the lone striker.
Kpardeh burst down the flank to register the first shot on goal in the second minute. The shot was easily dealt with by the Pioneers goalkeeper.
Wilson was forced to make a big save as a back pass didn't have enough power and a Pioneer player attempted to take advantage of the chance in the seventh minute.
But after failing to put it together in the final third, Kpardeh raced down the wing in the 23rd minute. Francou made the back post run and Francou muscled the ball into the back of the net.
A turnover from Western Mass would see Vermont extend its lead later in the half. After forcing the mistake, Zellefrow raced up the field and found a trailing Francou who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net in the 31st minute.
The second half got off to a much more difficult start. Western Mass seemed much more comfortable on the ball and was getting into the final third more frequently. This culminated with a great set-piece goal in the 54th minute as a far post ball was headed back centrally and then headed into the near post side of the net.
The Pioneers piled on the pressure and in the 59th minute they leveled the score. After Western Mass drew a foul at the top of the box, the ensuing free kick snuck its way past Wilson to tie up the game.
In the 64th minute, David Ajagbe and Omar Ramadan replaced Francou and Letaf.
Zellefrow nearly put Vermont up a goal in the 71st minute as some great hold-up play saw him get in on goal but his shot dribbled wide. The Green found the crucial goal in the 74th minute as Ajagbe crossed a ball across the goal that found Kpardeh. The winger took a few touches and powered the shot into the goal.
Western Mass continued to put the pressure on Vermont as the Pioneers chased a tying goal but struggled to replicate their success early in the half. Will Sawin entered the match in the 83rd minute and replaced Zellefrow. Rosas moved centrally while Sawin played out wide.
The substitute would be the one to grab the goal as he cleaned up the rebound off of a mishit by Ajagbe to secure the win. Now, Vermont will look ahead to its first round playoff match at Virtue Field.
