Posted: Nov 02, 2022
HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's soccer team advanced to the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) finals on Wednesday at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire, advancing 4-3 on penalty kicks to prevail over visiting rival Mitchell College in a shootout after fighting to a 0-0 double-overtime tie.
THE BASICS
Score: #3 Mitchell 0, #2 New England College 0 (2OT, NEC advances 4-3 on PKs)
Records: Pilgrims 8-7-3 | Mariners 6-10-1
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first half was characterized by intensely physical play as both teams struggled to generate scoring opportunities; the game went into halftime still tied at 0-0.
- With 11:45 to go, a deflection off a throw-in gave Mitchell sophomore Nick Forst (Ellington, Conn.) in front of the NEC goal. But Pilgrims' sophomore goalkeeper Hayden Walker (Manchester, N.H.) was up to the challenge, pulling the ball in and wrapping up to keep it scoreless.
- In the closing minutes, the Mariners recorded a series of chances, only to be turned away each time by a determined 'Grims defense. With 2:10 to go, a free kick by Mitchell gave sophomore Dylan Lucey (Lebanon, Conn.) a header shot, only for Walker to again make the stop. Thus, the game entered overtime, still scoreless.
- With 1:38 left in the second overtime, the 'Grims were awarded a corner kick by senior defender Robenson Saintil (West Palm Beach, Fla.). But the kick was overshot and they went to the shootout.
- Tied 3-3 after four shooters apiece, the critical moment came in the fifth when Mitchell senior Brandon Sirois (Lebanon, Conn.) missed his kick high. NEC senior forward Wiskens Flavil (Boston, Mass.), having missed the first 15 games of the season due to injury, took the pitch for the 'Grims and put it through to send his team to the conference championship finals as New England College stormed the field in celebration.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Walker tallied seven saves on the night for the Pilgrims. With the overtime shutout, Walker becomes NEC's all-time leader in shutouts in a season with six.
- Mitchell senior goalkeeper Joey Rosa (Mystic, Conn.) finished with two stops for the Mariners.
- Mitchell senior forward Nolan Clack (Hanson, Mass.) posted a team-high seven shots for the Mariners, while NEC junior forward Logan Cassin (Penacook, N.H.) had three for the Pilgrims.
- Total shots were 19-16 in favor of Mitchell.
- The Pilgrims lead the all-time series with the Mariners, 5-1-3. The two programs will resume their rivalry next season as they join the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) together as first-year members.
UP NEXT
- NEC will travel to Eastern Nazarene College on Saturday as they play in the NECC Championship finals.
For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.