Box Score CASTLETON, Vt. – Thomas defeated conference foe Castleton in a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) men's soccer matchup Sunday afternoon.
The Terriers scored twice in the first half, despite being outshot 14-8 in the frame. Castleton finished the day with a 33-16 shot advantage, including 15 on net but drops to 9-4 overall and 3-2 in the NAC. Thomas improves to 8-2-2 and remains atop the NAC standings with a 5-0-1 mark.
The Terriers got on the board first, scoring just 10:08 into the contest. Paul Rechichi (Kingsley, Australia) took possession of the ball at the top of the 18, turned and fired a rocket toward the upper near corner of the net. Nate Koenemann (Montpelier, Vt.) made a diving attempt at the shot, but was only able to get a few fingers on the ball before it rippled the back of the net.
In the 25th minute, Spencer Dandurand (Colchester, Vt.) directed a header to the upper near corner of the net. However, Mikkail Crockwell (St. David's, Bermuda) dove and got enough of the ball to knock it out of bounds.
The Terriers extended their lead in the 42nd minute. Michael Hand (Essex, England) took two dribbles into the far side of the 18 and ripped a shot past a diving Koenemann into the near corner.
Early in the second half Castleton continued to pressure the net, but Crockwell repeatedly stoned the Spartans with quality saves.
Castleton finally broke through in the 71st minute off a corner kick. Bryce Kaler (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) set the ball in from the far side of the field. The arching ball went past the net, but John Kendall (Springfield, Vt.) read the ball and headed it back into the middle of the six where Ian Hunter (Ellington, Conn.) was waiting. He blasted the shot in, to cut the deficit in half.
Thomas almost made it 3-1 with 16 minutes remaining, but Jacob Sirois (Waterville, Maine) sent his shot on the open net too high.
In the final ten minutes Castleton put numerous shots on net, but Crockwell was strong in net, denying the Spartans the equalizer.
Crockwell finished the afternoon with 14 saves while Koenemann made two stops between the pipes.
Thomas will return to the pitch Saturday as they host University of Maine-Presque Isle at 1pm.
Courtesy of Castleton Sports Information
