Box Score WATERVILLE, ME- The Thomas College men's soccer team (1-0-1) battled to a 2-2 double overtime tie on Thursday evening in a non-conference showdown against Saint Joseph's College (1-1-1). Michael Hand (Essex, England) continued his impressive start to the season with two goals in the match.
Saint Joe's started the scoring affair when Jack LaFreniere (Alton, N.H.) picked the ball up at the top of the crease on a Thomas turn over and dribbled it in beating Mikkail Crockwell (St. David's, Bermuda) to the right side for a goal. The Monks would strike again with a cross in front of the net by Lafreniere that Alex Day (Portland, Maine) got a foot on and buried it in the back of the net.
Thomas would respond in the 27th minute, as the Terriers were picking up the offensive pressure. Sebastian Wiiala (Varmdo, Sweden) had two opportunities in the box that SJC keeper Scott Benner (Post Falls, Idaho) saved, but a handball was called on the Monks, and Hand was able to strike for a PK goal to bring the game to 2-1 going into half.
Just six minutes into the second half, Hand got a feed from Dakota Duplisse (Hampden, Maine) that he was able to take advantage of, scoring his second goal of the contest.
The Terriers had an opportunity to seal the victory in the 88th minute, as Joshua Phelps (Maroochydor, Australia) was awarded a penalty shot, but was saved by Benner. The chance came again in the first half of overtime in the 96th minute, as Khamisi Lightbourne (Sandy's, Bermuda) got a PK shot, but was sailed over the crossbar.
Crockwell recorded seven saves in the draw, and Benner recorded 14 in his second career NCAA start for Saint Joe's.
This is the second consecutive game that Thomas and Saint Joe's have played into double overtime. The last game in Standish, SJC pulled away with a 2-1 victory.
Thomas will return to action Sunday as they travel to University of Maine-Machias for a 3pm tilt. The Terriers defeated the Machias 7-0 last season.
