RANDOLPH CENTER, Vt. – NHTI Men's Soccer battled Vermont State University Randolph to the final minutes Thursday afternoon, falling 2-1 in a rescheduled Yankee Small College Conference matchup at Varsity Athletic Field.
The match was originally scheduled for Sept. 30 before being postponed to Thursday afternoon.
The loss moves the Lynx to 0-6-1 overall and 0-5-1 in YSCC play, while VTSU Randolph improves to 3-4-1 overall and 1-1-1 in conference action.
Following Thursday's result, Randolph moves to four points in the YSCC standings, joining York County Community College, Word of Life and the University of Maine at Augusta at that mark. NHTI remains at one point with two conference matches remaining on its regular-season schedule.
NHTI created opportunities almost immediately. Japhari Ramadhani (Manchester, N.H.) stepped to the penalty spot just 2:15 into the match, but his attempt went wide. The Lynx continued to pressure early, earning three corner kicks inside the opening six minutes.
Alexander Musienko came close to breaking the scoreless tie in the 23rd minute, sending a shot off the crossbar.
Vermont State Randolph broke through at 27:34 when Calvin Cacciamani scored off an assist from Paul Persson to give the Knights a 1-0 advantage. NHTI continued to generate chances before halftime, including another shot on goal from Ramadhani in the 34th minute, but Randolph carried the one-goal lead into the break.
The Lynx increased their pressure in the second half, recording 11 shots after halftime compared with six in the opening 45 minutes. Ramadhani put consecutive attempts on goal in the 61st and 62nd minutes before Jacob Hanson (Pembroke, N.H.) forced another save from Sokolnicki in the 70th.
Hanson then found the equalizer moments later, converting a penalty kick at 70:27 to bring NHTI even at 1-1.
The goal was Hanson's second of the season, moving him into sole possession of second on the Lynx in goals scored. Hanson now has five points on two goals and one assist through seven appearances and is tied for 18th among YSCC players in goals. He sits one goal behind a tie for 10th in the conference.
The Knights responded less than 10 minutes later. Shandon J.D. Anderson scored at 80:09 off assists from Cacciamani and Kennedy Eshima to put the Knights back in front, 2-1.
NHTI continued to search for another equalizer down the stretch. Hanson put an attempt wide in the 87th minute before Ramadhani forced goalkeeper Gabe Sokolnicki into a save at 87:23. The Lynx were unable to find the tying goal before the final whistle.
NHTI finished with 17 shots, including nine on goal, while Randolph recorded 22 attempts and 13 on target. The Lynx held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Ramadhani led NHTI with seven shots and five on goal, while Hanson finished with five attempts and two on target. Musienko added four shots and two shots on goal.
Kurt Olson played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded a season-high 11 saves. The performance raised Olson's season total to 30 saves through four starts. He currently ranks 10th among YSCC goalkeepers with a 3.50 goals-against average.
Offensively, Delvaughn Daley (Randolph, Mass.) continues to lead the Lynx with four goals, two assists and 10 points. His four goals are tied for eighth in the YSCC, while his two assists are tied for ninth.
UP NEXT
NHTI returns to action Saturday, Oct. 10, traveling to Roxbury Community College for a 6 p.m. non-conference matchup. The Lynx then return home Wednesday, Oct. 14, to host Southern Maine Community College at 4 p.m. in the penultimate match of the regular season before closing the schedule Saturday, Oct. 17, at York County Community College.
The SMCC and York matches will be available to watch live at YSCCSportsNetwork.com.
