Box Score WATERVILLE, ME – Thomas (10-7-1) defeated Husson University (5-8-4), 3-1 in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Men's Soccer Quarterfinals on Sunday evening. With the victory, the defending conference champion Terriers will advance to the semifinal round where they will travel to #1 Castleton on Wednesday.
Thomas was first to crack the score at the 14 minute mark, as Michael Hand received a cross from the right side of the pitch and after his first shot was saved by Husson netminder Brian Potter, Hand picked up his own rebound and volleyed the ball to the back of the net.
Minutes later at 20:25 the Terriers would increase their score to 2-0 on a through ball by Paul Rechichi that met the feet of Tre Ming, who proceeded to chip the ball over Potter's hands for the score.
Husson cut the deficit however at 22:33 as Joshua Bean was able to beat Mikkail Crockwell off a feed from teammate Jimmy Fitzpatrick. The 2-1 score would stand at half despite the home side outshooting their opponent 17-2 in the opening stanza.
Thomas put the game out of the reach in the second half at 72:18 when Rechichi was rewarded a penalty shot. The senior captain took full advantage of the free shot, blanking the keeper to the right side of the goal.
The Terriers held most of the possession in the second period, outshooting the Eagles 14-3, (31-5 overall). Thomas also held a 7-0 edge in corner kicks.
Crockwell tallied three saves in the victory, while Potter made 12 in the losing effort.
Thomas travels to Castleton on Wednesday, game time TBD. The Spartans defeated Thomas on the road 1-0 in overtime the only time these two met this season.