BURLINGTON, Vt. — Lionsbridge FC’s 2025 season came to a heartbreaking close Friday night with a 3-1 loss in extra time to Vermont Green FC in the USL League Two Eastern Conference Final at a sold-out Virtue Field.
Tied 1-1 after regulation, Vermont scored twice in extra time—first through Arnaud Tattevin in the 104th minute, then Owen O’Malley in the 116th—to advance to Sunday’s national semifinal against Dothan United.
Evan Howard opened the scoring for Lionsbridge in the 40th minute, heading home an assist from Andrew Bennett. Vermont equalized just four minutes later when Ian Abbey found the net on an assist from Zach Zengue.
Lionsbridge appeared to have won the match in second-half stoppage time when Sam Hall flicked a ball over the top of the Vermont defense to Damean Dominguez, who slotted it home. The goal was ruled offside, though the replay suggested Dominguez may have been onside. There is no video review in USL League Two.
Goalkeeper Henry Hampshaw was outstanding throughout the match, making multiple saves to keep Lionsbridge in contention. He denied Vermont on a one-on-one in the 17th minute and made several more critical stops in the 33rd, 56th and back-to-back stops in the 69th minute.
Lionsbridge finishes the season with a 16-3-3 overall record, having reached the Eastern Conference Final for a third consecutive year and its fifth straight playoff appearance overall.
Vermont, the Eastern Conference champions will face Southern Conference champions Dothan United in Sunday’s national semifinal. The winner will play either Western Conference champions Ballard FC or Central Conference champions Flint City Bucks in the USL League Two Final on Saturday, August 2.
