HENNIKER, N.H. – New England College senior forward
Logan Cassin (Penacook, N.H.) scored his first career hat trick as the NEC men's soccer team won 5-3 over visiting Rivier University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Senior Day on Saturday afternoon at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire.
THE BASICS
Score: River 3, New England College 5
Records: Pilgrims 6-4-4, 5-3-3 GNAC | Raiders 2-9-4, 2-7-3 GNAC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first half was a chippy affair as the two teams combined for three yellow cards and just one shot on goal through 45 minutes. With just 42.1 seconds left and with the game appeared headed into overtime still scoreless, Rivier graduate defenseman Chris Antonelli (Commack, N.Y.) launched a goal kick the length of the field, finding freshman forward Mitchell Ward (Fillmore, N.Y.) who headed a pass to first-year midfielder Cameron Rodrigues (Nashua, N.H.) for a chip-in shot as the Raiders took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
- In the 56th minute with the 'Grims still trailing, a long throw in was redirected to NEC sophomore defenseman Patrick Tewksbury (Londonderry, N.H.) on the right side of the goal who bent a beautiful shot into the left corner of the goal for his first career goal with an assist to junior defenseman Darren Mota (Inverness, Scotland), tying the game up at 1-1.
- Just 19 seconds seconds later, Cassin, playing in the second to last home game of his standout career, took a pass from sophomore forward Noel Huliselan (Dover, N.H.), last month's NEC Pilgrim of the Month for September, and finished for his sixth goal of the season, as the Pilgrims took their first lead of the game. Just three minutes later, it would again be Cassin finding the back of the net, this time with an assist to Mota.
- Looking for an insurance goal in the 70th minute and up 3-2, Mota would tally his third assist of the day, finding Cassin who would finish to give NEC the two-goal advantage.
- NEC junior goalkeeper Hayden Walker (Manchester, N.H.) made one of the biggest plays of his career with 15:23 left in the game. With the Pilgrims clinging to a 4-2 lead and the Raiders awarded a penalty kick, Walker stopped Rivier junior midfielder Cody Sicard (Salem, N.H.) to preserve the two-goal advantage.
- Finally, with 9:41 left in the game, NEC graduate forward Zachary Acciardo (Derry, N.H.) caught Cassin in front of the net with a pass and the senior striker turned and converted for his first career hat trick, giving the 'Grims a 5-2 lead.
SENIOR DAY
Prior to the game, the New England College men's soccer program and the NEC athletics department recognized this year's senior class as part of senior day. Cassin along with graduate midfielder
Cooper Ribaudo (Salem, N.H.) and senior midfielder
Colby Clark (Milford, N.H.) were honored by coaches, teammates, family members and fans for all of their accomplishments at NEC both on and off the field. Although their time with the program may be coming to an end, they will forever be a part of the 'Grims family.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Walker finished with seven saves for the Pilgrims, overcoming a tough start and numerous bumps.
- Rivier senior goalkeeper Dominic Cunha (Peabody, Mass.) recorded four stops on the day for the Raiders.
- Rodrigues would finish with two goals for the Raiders, while first year midfielder Jayden Medlin (Largo, Fla.) added the third.
UP NEXT
- NEC has a quick turnaround as they are back on the field on Sunday when they travel to former New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) rival Lesley University for a 2:00 p.m. matchup.
- Rivier travels to Plymouth State on Thursday for their next contest, that with a 3:00 p.m. start time.
