Box Score

WATERVILLE, ME – The Thomas men's soccer team battled fifth-seeded Castleton to a 3-0 victory this afternoon in a North Atlantic Conference Quarterfinal match at Smith Field. The win advances Thomas through to the semifinal round of the 2014 NAC Playoffs.

Both teams played conservatively in the early going as neither team even registered a shot on goal 30 minutes of play.

Thomas (9-4-3, 5-2-2 NAC) would breakthrough in the 31st minute. William Nilson dribbled in on the right side and found senior Dakota Duplissie for the game's first goal and the 1-0 lead for Thomas.

That would be the half's only goal as the two teams combined for a total of only four shots, three of those by Thomas. Castleton (8-10-1, 5-3-1 NAC) held a 3-2 corner advantage. A total of 12 fouls were committed in a physical first half of play.

The physical style of play continued in the second half as more fouls began to pile up on both teams.

In the 65th minute, Duplissie would strike for his second goal of the match when he received a free kick from about 30 feet away and buried it for the 2-0 lead.

Thomas would add a late goal in the 89th minute when London Steede-Jackson took a pass from John Flores-Mckenna to get to the 3-0 final.

The Terriers made the most of their opportunities as it was a tightly contested match, with shots at 13 for each team, with six on goal for Thomas and five for the Spartans.

The match ended with a total of 27 fouls and six cards given out.

Sophomore keeper Joakim Sternas recorded four saves in the shutout victory for the Terriers. Castleton keeper Amir Pasic had three saves.

The men's soccer team will now move into the NAC Semifinal round to take on top-seeded Colby-Sawyer on Tuesday, November 4.