Men's Soccer Clipped by New England College

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's soccer team fell 4-0 to New England College on Tuesday afternoon in the season opener for both squads.

A first-half hat trick from Michael Skarbelis spurred the visitors to victory. He also added an assist in the second half to factor in all four New England goals. The Pilgrims (1-0-0 overall) held a 21-4 edge in shots in the contest and allowed only two attempts on goal.

New England came out firing early and often and produced three quality chances in the opening 10 minutes of the game. Mitchell defenders turned away a pair of would-be goals to limit the damage, but Skarbelis finally broke through in the eighth minute off a feed from Conor Douglass. Skarbelis caught up to the pass in stride in the middle of the field and chipped a shot over the Mitchell keeper from 18 yards out. 

Later in the half, Skarbelis scored his final two goals less than three minutes apart. His second tally of the day came after winning a 50/50 ball and finishing into the lower right corner in the 21st minute. He then took advantage of a misplay by the goalie for an empty netter to complete the hat trick in the 23rd minute.

Mitchell's best scoring chance in the opening half came in the 26th minute when Andrew Storton rocketed a shot off the crossbar that came straight down and was cleared away by the New England defense. The Pilgrims didn't allow another shot for the remainder of the stanza and took the 3-0 lead into the halftime intermission.

Early in the second half, Cody Poirier had a chance to put Mitchell on the scoreboard but was denied on a one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Tenzin Khenrab. The Pilgrims later added to the lead off the foot of Sina Samali in the 85th minute. Skarbelis got things started by crossing the ball into the box, and Ronsard Masamba headed it on to Samali for the finish.

Mitchell goalkeeper Anthony Drake finished with seven saves while Khenrab and Dylan Mix each had one to combine for the shutout.

Mitchell (0-1-0 overall) will next host Lyndon State College on Saturday, September 5 at 3 p.m. New England returns to action at home against Nichols College on Saturday at 1 p.m.