Middlebury, V.T.-The Hunter College men's soccer team journeyed to Vermont for the opening round of the NCAA Division III Tournament, where they faced a formidable opponent in host Middlebury College. The Hawks fell 7-0, concluding a historic and memorable season.**

Hunter (6-12-2) entered the tournament as the newly crowned City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) Champions, capturing their first title since 2010. Their Cinderella run saw the sixth-seeded Hawks secure an automatic NCAA bid, overcoming the odds and defeating each playoff opponent in a thrilling postseason.

Facing Middlebury (15-1-3), the Hawks found themselves in an early struggle, trailing 3-0 at halftime. Goalkeeper Matthew Heimowitz delivered a valiant effort, recording seven saves on 18 first-half shots. Forward Ben Avakook registered Hunter's only shot of the match, as the Purple and Gold struggled to break through Middlebury's staunch defense. Heimowitz continued to impress in the second half, adding five more saves to notch a postseason high of 13, but Hunter couldn't hold off the relentless attack from Middlebury.

Although the scoreline wasn't in Hunter's favor, their remarkable postseason journey stands as a testament to the grit and determination of the program, shining brightly in the school's athletic history.