Box Score HENNIKER, NH – Thomas could not attain their third North Atlantic Conference (NAC) victory of the season, falling to New England College 4-3 on Sunday afternoon.
With the win the Pilgrims improve to 8-3-1 overall and remain undefeated in NAC play improving to 5-0-0 in conference. The loss drops the Terriers to 5-5-1 on the season and 2-2-0 in conference play.
New England College opened the scoring early as junior forward Manny Arteaga converted on a penalty kick just 2:33 into the game.
The Pilgrims extended their lead to 2-0 in the 29th minute of play as Arteaga notched his second goal of the afternoon putting in a pass through the middle from senior midfielder Zak Harris.
Thomas would have a quick answer as Paul Rechichi headed in a free kick off the foot of Tre Ming in the 32nd minute, cutting the Pilgrim lead to 2-1.
Thomas knotted the game at 2-2 just over three minutes into the second half as Ming scored off a nice pass to the left wing from Ali Pak. NEC got the goal back in the next minute of play as Rob Lucas kicked a ball that snuck past Thomas keeper Mikkail Crockwell.
The Pilgrims made it 4-2 in the 75th minute as NEC's leading scorer Sebastian Andersson would steal the ball and take in it for a one-on-one with Crockwell. The Terriers got within a goal late as Michael Hand knocked down a centering pass and dribbled around a Pilgrim defender, putting the ball past Pilgrim keeper Robert Millard.
Thomas finished the game out shooting NEC 14-10.
Millard picked up the win in goal finishing with 10 saves. Thomas' Crockwell recorded six saves on the afternoon.
Thomas will hit the field on Wednesday, Oct. 9 when they travel to take on non-conference opponent Bates College.
COURTESY OF NEC SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
