Late Goal Trips Up Men's Soccer in NECC Opener
Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mitchell (0-7-1, 0-1-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
New England Col. (5-3-0, 2-0-0) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Game Statistics | Mitchell | New England Col. |
---|---|---|
Shots (on goal) | 9 (8) | 37 (8) |
Saves | 7 | 8 |
Fouls | 18 | 18 |
Corner Kicks | 1 | 8 |
Offsides | 0 | 2 |
HENNIKER, N.H. -- The Mitchell College men's soccer team opened conference play with a 1-0 setback against New England College on Saturday evening at Don Melander Field.
Eli Leonard netted the game's lone goal in the 75th minute as the hosts improved to 2-0-0 in New England Collegiate Conference action. The Pilgrims outshot the Mariners 37-9 in the contest, although each side put eight shots on goal.
Goalkeepers Robbie Ferguson and Joey Rosa kept the scoreboard from lighting up in the opening half.
In the opening minutes of the second half, a red card left the Mariners playing shorthanded for the rest of regulation. Despite being a man down, Mitchell defended well and kept things scoreless until late in the contest. With 17 minutes to play, Panagiotis Galatas put a shot on frame that Rosa deflected away. However, in his attempt to corral the ball, Rosa collided with another NEC attacker and was forced to leave the game. Dylan Kinsella took his place, and just over a minute later, Leonard tucked a left-footed strike from deep into the upper-right corner for the 1-0 lead.
Mitchell scrambled for the equalizer and forced Ferguson to make three saves in the final 11 minutes. Nolan Clack, Brandon Sirois and Mason Rubino each tested the NEC keeper but came up empty.
Mitchell (0-7-1 overall, 0-1-0 NECC) will next play at Wheaton College on Wednesday, October 6 at 4 p.m.