A Memorial Match with History and Hope
On August 23 at 1 p.m. ET, Vermont’s men’s soccer team will host Colgate at Virtue Field, marking the start of the 2026 season and the latest installment of the Peter Baldwin Memorial Game. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+, giving fans across the country a chance to witness the Catamounts’ early push toward a new campaign.
Vermont arrived in the spotlight after a 2‑0 shutout of George Mason to open the season, a performance anchored by David Ismail’s two goals and assists from Islam Houssni and Philipp Schmidtke. Goalkeeper Niklas Herceg also recorded a pair of saves, and he will wear a #11 armband in honor of Peter Baldwin during the upcoming contest.
The Catamounts boast a strong home pedigree, holding a 10‑6‑2 all‑time edge over Colgate, highlighted by a 2023 victory in the same memorial game. That win set a tone of resilience that the program hopes to build upon as the new roster looks to blend experienced contributors with fresh talent.
Colgate enters the match after a 1‑0 preseason triumph over New Hampshire and a preseason ranking of eighth in the Patriot League with 32 points. Head Coach Erik Ronning, now in his 22nd season at the helm, will rely on returning standout Blake Pipkin, the 2024 Patriot League Rookie of the Year, and sophomore goalscorer Cole Ramey, who led the team in points during the 2025 campaign.
Beyond the on‑field storylines, the game serves as a tribute to Peter Baldwin, a figure whose legacy continues to inspire the program. The ceremony will see Niklas Herceg’s #11 armband symbolize remembrance, tying past achievements to the aspirations of the current squad as they aim to add another chapter to their historic rivalry.