Box Score
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Post-Game Interview

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- First-year Ryan Stephens (Stow, Mass.) scored early in the second half to give the University of New England men's soccer team a 1-0 victory over Thomas College in a non-conference match played Saturday afternoon (Sep. 7) at Barbara J. Hazard Field.

The win keeps the Nor'easters undefeated in the early going at 2-0-1 and marks the best start for UNE in more than 25 years. The Terriers saw their two-game win streak come to an end in falling to 2-2.

After scoreless first half, Stephens took a pass from first-year Dylan Delloiacono (Merrick, N.Y.) on the left side and drilled a shot from 25 yards out just inside the right post at the 48:52 mark for his first collegiate tally.

The Nor'easters would make the goal stand up despite a furious charge by Thomas in the closing stages. The Terriers out-shot UNE 14-5 in the second half, including several quality scoring chances in the final minutes.

A historic start...

After its 1-0 shutout of Thomas College, UNE is unbeaten in its opening three games of the season for the first time in more than 25 years.

Each team had a shot attempt hit the post in the final frame. Thomas sophomore Joshua Phelps (Maroochydor, Australia) connected with the left upright in the 62nd minute, and UNE junior Sean Goodrich (Gorham, N.H.) had a header that struck iron with 20 minutes remaining.

Junior Aidan McParland (Brockville, Ontario) made five saves on 21 Thomas shots to record his second shutout of the year.

Senior Mikkail Crockwell (St. David's, Bermuda) stopped four of Big Blue's 10 attempts.

The Nor'easters will look to continue their strong start to the season Wednesday (Sep. 10) when they head to UMaine Farmington for a 4 p.m. non-conference tilt.

Thomas has a long layoff before resuming action Sep. 17 at the University of Southern Maine (4 p.m.).


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Click HERE to watch the post-game interview with Ryan Stephens