Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn. – The New England College men's soccer team won 2-0 at Mitchell College on Saturday at Alumni Field in New London, Connecticut in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.
THE BASICS
Score: New England College 2, Mitchell 0
Records: Pilgrims 1-2-1, 1-1 GNAC | Mariners 0-3-1, 0-2 GNAC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a scoreless first half, the 'Grims burst through in the 57th minute when NEC sophomore midfielder Santiago Sanchez (Buenos Aires, Argentina) took advantage of a breakdown in the Mariner defense and – with two defenders converging on him – turned and fired a perfect pass to senior midfielder Darren Mota (Inverness, Scotland) right in front of the box. Mota blasted the shot past the keeper and into the upper right corner of the goal for his first goal as a Pilgrim as the New England College bench exploded in celebration.
- With 25:18 left in the game and the visitors still clinging to a 1-0 lead, it would be Sanchez himself providing the insurance as he beat a defender just outside the box and shot home his second goal of the season as the 'Grims went up by two. That would be all NEC would need as the Pilgrims took their first win of the season.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC sophomore goalkeeper Lukas Tate (South Jordan, Utah), playing in just his second career start, tallied four saves on the day, raising his season save percentage to .875.
- Mitchell senior goalkeeper Dylan Kinsella (Waterbury, Conn.) had four stops in the first half for the Mariners before sophomore goalkeeper Jesse Jenkins (Windsor, Conn.) entered the game in the second half and finished with four saves.
- Shots on goal were 10-4 in favor of the Pilgrims. NEC has now won six straight games over their longtime conference rivals.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Sunday when they host Lesley University in a 2:00 p.m. matchup.
- Mitchell plays their next game at Johnson & Wales University in a 6:00 p.m. game.
