Box Score HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's soccer team battled to a 2-2 draw against visiting Lasell University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Wednesday evening at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire.
THE BASICS
Score: Lasell 2, New England College 2
Records: Pilgrims 3-2-3, 2-1-2 GNAC | Lasers 1-5-1, 1-2-1 GNAC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Down 1-0 in the opening minutes of the match, the 'Grims – as they have all season long – turned to NEC sophomore midfielder Santiago Sanchez (Guatemala City, Guatemala) to make something happen and the second-year striker delivered as he took a corner kick on the opposite side from sophomore outside back Nicholas Jurrissen (Madbury, N.H.) and put it through for his fifth goal of the season, tying the game at a goal apiece just 9:41 into the game.
- A red card against Lasell in the closing minutes of the first half gave NEC a golden opportunity but the Pilgrims were unable to capitalize in the remainder of the period, going into halftime still knotted at 1-1.
- The 'Grims took their first lead of the game with 39:33 left in the game when Sanchez found NEC junior outside back Patrick Tewksbury (Londonderry, N.H.) from thirty yards out and the third-year standout froze the keeper with a look as he blasted a high shot that came just below the crossbar for his first goal of the season and the third of his career. Just like that the Pilgrims were up 2-1.
- The Lasers nearly found the equalizer in the 61st minute off a strike from Lasell sophomore forward Girish Raghunathan (West Roxbury, Mass.) but the shot glanced off the crossbar, and the Pilgrims continued to hold the advantage.
- With 2:22 left and the Pilgrims poised to take the win, the Lasers found the equalizer when Lasell sophomore defender Daniel Augustine (Bolton, Mass.) found the ball in traffic after a deflection and shot it in to tie it up at 2-2. That would hold up for the final score, as both teams settled for a draw.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC sophomore goalkeeper Lukas Tate (South Jordan, Utah), coming off his first career GNAC Goalkeeper of the Week award this past week, tallied eight saves on the night for the Pilgrims.
- Lasell senior goalkeeper Antonio Centracchio (Springfield, Mass.) posted five stops for the Lasers.
- Lasell graduate forward Pumi Maphumulo (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) scored the first goal of the game, that coming just 3:01 into the match.
- Total shots were 19-13 in favor of the Lasers.
- The game was a rematch of last season's GNAC Championship Tournament Play-In Round, that resulting in a 3-0 win for the 'Grims.
- Sanchez, who entered the day ranked sixth in the GNAC in points on the season with nine, finished with a goal and an assist. At press times Sanchez – a 2023 GNAC All-Conference Selection – was tied for second in the conference with 12 points.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Saturday when they host Emmanuel College in another GNAC match during Fall Festival Weekend, that starting at 2:00 p.m.
- Lasell plays their next game at Rivier University this Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
