MANCHESTER, N.H. – The New England College men's soccer team opened their 2022 season with a 2-1 loss to visiting Methodist University in a non-conference match played at Penmen Stadium on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University on Friday evening in Manchester, New Hampshire.

THE BASICS
Score:                    Methodist 2, New England College 1
Records:               Pilgrims 0-1 | Monarchs 1-0

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The 'Grims struck first 13:10 into the game when sophomore midfielder William Scala (Manchester, N.H.) took a brilliant cross on the left side from freshman midfielder Anthony Aguiar (Guilford, N.H.) and blasted it in from twenty yards out for his first goal of the season as NEC went up 1-0.
• The Monarchs found the equalizer just three and a half minutes later when Methodist sophomore defenseman Jayse Gleeson (Louisville, Ky.) found junior midfielder Hudson Zeisman (Fayetteville, N.C.) right in front of the net to tie it up at 1-1. Despite a hotly contested remainder of the opening period, that would remain the score headed into halftime.
• With 20:14 left in the game, a critical penalty was called against the Pilgrims, setting the Monarchs up for a penalty kick. Methodist sophomore midfielder Casey Atwell (Oviedo, Fla.) put it through to give the visitors the lead for the first time on the night.
• The 'Grims had a flurry of shots late but couldn't find the tying goal as the game closed with a 2-1 final.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• NEC sophomore goalkeeper Ricardo Aguilera (Ibagué, Colombia) continued to build off his outstanding rookie season last year, tallying seven saves on the evening. Methodist junior goalkeeper Cole Hupp (Virginia Beach, Va.) finished with four stops.
• Shots were 14-12 in favor of the Pilgrims.
• Scala led all players with four shots.
• It was the first-ever meeting between NEC and Methodist.

SEAN MACDONALD MEMORIAL

• Prior to the game, the teams took a moment to celebrate the life of the late Sean MacDonald, an acclaimed student-athlete with both the Southern New Hampshire and Methodist men's soccer programs.   

UP NEXT

• NEC will have a quick turnaround as they return to Henniker on Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. game against the Owls of the University of Maine Presque Isle in their first true home opener of the season.
• Methodist will complete their New England trip on Sunday when they play UMPI in Manchester at 11:00 a.m.