HOLDEN, Mass. — Vermont Clover FC delivered a statement performance Friday night, dismantling New England Combine FC 6–0 to remain perfect at 4–0 on the season.

Despite the lopsided scoreline, the opening minutes suggested a different story. New England Combine came out with energy, creating early chances and testing a slightly rotated Clover side that featured debuts from goalkeeper Liam Hand and center back Oakley Francis. The hosts showed they wouldn’t go quietly but that resistance didn’t last long.

In the 6th minute, Henry Gibson capitalized on a defensive mistake, pouncing on a loose ball at the back and firing home to give Vermont the breakthrough. From there, the match quickly tilted in the Clover’s favor.

The second goal arrived in the 29th minute, when Miles Bergeson whipped in a dangerous cross that was bundled home by Milo Schmidt. Just five minutes later, Tyler Corey slipped a well-weighted pass through to Demunga Alfani, who finished calmly to extend the lead to 3–0.

Vermont entered halftime in firm control but with a clear objective: turn a strong performance into a complete one.

They did just that.

In the 56th minute, Bergeson delivered again, sending in another pinpoint cross that Michael O’Connor met with a powerful header to make it four. The Clover’s dominance only grew from there, with contributions coming from every level of the pitch.

The highlight of the night came in the 74th minute. Liam Hand, already enjoying a solid debut in goal, launched a long ball forward that caught the Combine defense off guard. Schmidt reacted quickest, racing onto the pass and slotting it home for his second of the match to make it 5–0.

With the result all but secured, head coach Brian Buczek turned to his bench, giving younger players an opportunity to make an impact. That decision paid off in the 84th minute, when substitutes Otis Lee and Will Curtis combined on a fluid attacking move, with Curtis finishing confidently to cap off the scoring at six.

Schmidt was named Man of the Match for his two-goal performance, while Schmidt, Hand, who recorded a clean sheet and an assist in his debut, Gibson, and Sean Butler all earned New England Conference Team of the Week honors.

Now 4–0 and brimming with confidence, Vermont Clover FC returns home for a highly anticipated matchup against fellow conference contenders Boston Street FC II on May 3 at Duffy Field on the campus of Saint Michael’s College.