HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's soccer team fought hard against the visiting Falcons of Fitchburg State University in a late night matchup that concluded in a 1-1 draw. The game saw both goals scored in the final 11 minutes of the contest on Tuesday night in a non-conference game that had everybody on their feet at the Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire.         
 
THE BASICS
Score:      Fitchburg State University 1, New England College 1
Records:  Falcons 2-2-1, 0-0-0 MASCAC | Pilgrims 0-2-1, 0-1-0 GNAC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Once the game commenced, the sophomore goalkeeper Lukas Tate (South Jordan, Utah) made his presence know immediately at the pitch by making a phenomenal save in his first start of the season against senior forward Elijah Kalombo (Worcester, Mass.) keeping Tate on his toes early on in the game.
• Neither side was unable to locate the back of the net, but numerous opportunities came at the feet of the Falcons firing off nine shots to the 'Grims measly three. FSU also was bestowed three corner kicks to NEC's one giving them multiple chances to find the back of the net but couldn't complete any of their shots taken thanks to the excellent performance the defense displayed led by the sophomore in Tate who ended the half with three saves keeping it a 0-0 game at half.
• All the excitement from this thriller of a non-conference game occurred in the final 12 minutes of play in the second half starting at 11:51 NEC would finally strike gathering the first goal of the evening as the 'Grims were able to earn a free kick opportunity at the fault of the Falcons who committed a foul that got sophomore midfielder Santiago Sanchez (Guatemala City, Guatemala) in scoring position for the team's lone goal on the evening.
• Tate came up big continuously excelling throughout this contest but none bigger than the moment he faced at 6:17 as Falcon sophomore forward Anothony Oliveria-Dalicandro (Waltham, Mass.) came dashing up the side of the field looking to find the cutting junior midfielder Liam Evans (Marshfield, Mass.) who ended up taking a shot but was stopped in his tracks by Tate who stood stout for the 'Grims.
• The sophomore would have one blemish on his stellar night that came about at 4:12 after FSU's freshman forward Ajani Guzman (Leominster, Mass.) would find his target scoring his second goal on the season that helped prevent his team from taking the loss.
• With seconds to spare NEC junior midfielder Anthony Aguiar (Guilford, N.H.) was unable to keep his shot on target as the result ended with it going out wide solidifying the contest as a draw, 1-1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Tate was truly incredible at the pitch for the 'Grims tallying up eight saves with five taking place in the second half during his rememberable first start of the season.
• FSU sophomore goalkeeper Alexander Carvalho (North Providence, R.I.) had only two saves for the night.
• Both NEC Sanchez and FSU Guzman were the only goal scorers for their respective teams that ended the game in a standstill when it was all said and done.
• Total shots by the conclusion of the game were in favor of the Falcons as they managed to rip 21 and the 'Grims who got off nine.

UP NEXT

• NEC will be on the road as they will be making the trip out to New London, Connecticut on Saturday when they take on conference competitors in the Mariners of Mitchell College at 3:00 pm from Alumni Field.
• The Falcons prepare to compete against the Lynx of Lesley University as they'll have to travel out to Cambridge, Massachusetts for this matchup on Saturday at 1:00 pm from Minuteman Tech Field.

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