HENNIKER, N.H. – NEC sophomore forward
Noel Huliselan (Dover, N.H.) completed his first career hat-trick as the New England College men's soccer team prevailed 5-0 against visiting Maine Maritime Academy on Sunday afternoon at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire in the home opener for the Pilgrims.
THE BASICS
Score: Maine Maritime 0, New England College 5
Records: Pilgrims 1-0-1 | Mariners 1-1-0
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The 'Grims would strike first in the ninth minute of the game when NEC senior forward Logan Cassin (Penacook, N.H.), a two-time New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) All-Conference selection in the past two seasons, scored his first goal of the year with an assist to freshman midfielder Santiago Sanchez (Guatemala City, Guatemala) when he recovered his own shot after a save by the Mariner keeper and blasted it home to put the hosts up 1-0 with 36:55 remaining in the first half. NEC would continue to dominate possession and scoring opportunities for the remainder of the opening period but were unable to find the back of the net before the intermission.
- In the 66th minute, NEC would pickup their insurance goal when freshman forward Chase Gurtowsky (Torrington, Conn.) found Huliselan on a short cross who exploited a flat-footed defense by streaking towards the goal and finishing to give the 'Grims a 2-0 lead. Just five minutes later, Huliselan would score his second goal of the game to increase the lead to three with 19:22 to go.
- With 17:54 remaining, Sanchez scored his first goal as a 'Grim to give NEC a 4-0 lead, that coming with an assist to junior midfielder William Scala (Manchester, N.H.).
- Huliselan completed the hat trick with an assist to sophomore midfielder Anthony Aguiar (Guilford, N.H.) with 15:37 to go. The sophomore, who came into the game with three career goals, subbed out having doubled that number and was mobbed by teammates on the bench. Maine Maritime never threatened again.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC junior goalkeeper Hayden Walker (Manchester, N.H.) tallied two saves in net for the 'Grims for his first shutout of the season.
- Maine Maritime first-year goalkeeper Reagan Moynihan (Clayton, N.C.) recorded six stops for the Mariners in a heroic effort.
- The Pilgrims enjoyed a 19-5 advantage in shots and an 11-2 edge in shots-on-goal on the day.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Wednesday when they travel to Albertus Magnus College for a 7:00 p.m. match. It will be the 'Grims first-ever Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest.
- Maine Maritime plays their next game at Maine-Farmington on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
