Box Score NEW LONDON, N.H. – The Thomas men's soccer team used a second half goal by North Atlantic Conference (NAC) leading goal scorer Dakota Duplissie to defeat the top-seeded Colby-Sawyer Chargers 2-1 in a NAC Semifinal match this afternoon from Kelsey Field.
Thomas (10-4-3), who defeated Colby-Sawyer in last year's championship match, will play the winner of today's other semifinal contest between #2 New England College and #3 Husson on Saturday, November 8 for the NAC title and a berth to the NCAA Tournament. Colby-Sawyer drops to 11-6-2 and still has a chance for an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) bid early next week.
Thomas took a 1-0 advantage at 27:48 on Tre Ming's eighth tally of the season. Ming possessed the ball from 30 yards out and decided to take a shot. He sent a bending ball towards the net that deflected off the far post and into the back of the goal.
Less than seven minutes later, the Chargers found an equalizer. Sophomore Rick Prindiville sent a ball over a couple of Thomas defenders to a sprinting Carlton Wheeler-Omiunu. Wheeler-Omiunu took one touch then fired a one-bouncer past the diving Joakim Sternas for his first goal of the season.
Duplissie notched his game-winning 17th goal of the season at 63:55 to break the 1-1 tie. Junior Tre Ming began the play as he sent a cross into the box that was quickly flicked to Duplissie by freshman William Nilson. Duplissie then left his feet to side kick the ball into the back of the net for the Terriers.
The Chargers had the next best chance to break the tie 13 minutes into the second frame when several players were battling for the ball in the box, including Thomas keeper Sternas who came out to try to control the play. Colby-Sawyer was able to get a foot on the ball, but the retreating Sternas knocked it aside to preserve the tie.
Sternas finished with four saves in goal for Thomas, while Colby-Sawyer goalie Nick Austin made three stops in the loss.
Thomas outshot the Chargers 17-13 and each side had a pair of corner kicks.
The men's soccer team will be looking to win their fourth NAC Championship in the last five years, and will be making their third straight appearance in the NAC final.
