Haverhill, MA (September 12, 2019) - The Northern Essex Community College men's soccer team played to a 1-1 double overtime draw on Thursday afternoon against visiting Community College of Rhode Island. The game marked the on campus return of the men's soccer program who last played a game on campus in the mid 1990's. With the result, the Knights move to 0-2-1 on the young season.
The game was scoreless at halftime with Northern Essex holding a slight 5-4 advantage in shots. In the 52nd minute CCRI got ont he board first when Jacob Leander put a direct kick from 25 yards out on goal. The shot deflected off the right goal post and into the net to give CCRI a 1-0 lead.
In the 66th minute Daller Ucles (Lawrence, MA) got NECC on the board with a penalty kick goal after Franklin Aguilar (Tewksbury, MA) was taken down in the box. The remainder of the second half was quiet as was the first 10 minute overtime period.
In the opening minutes of the second overtime NECC had four quality looks at the net, missing just wide to each side of the net and pair of shots that went just high over the crossbar including one from Michael Mbua (Cameroon) that was pushed over the bar by the fully extended goalkeeper.
Anthony Bellomo (Salem, NH) contineued his stellar play in net to start the season as he recorded 10 saves on 11 shots on goal.
NECC returns to the pitch on Sunday when they travel to Central Maine COmmunity College for an 11:00am start and will return home Tuesday to hsot Springfield Technical Community College at 4:00pm.
