NEW LONDON, N.H. – October 21, 2017 - The Colby-Sawyer College men's soccer team earned a 3-2 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) victory over Thomas College on Saturday afternoon at Kelsey Field.

Colby-Sawyer improves to 9-5 overall and 7-1 in the NAC. The Chargers will host UMaine-Farmington tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. Thomas falls to 7-8-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the NAC. The Terriers will travel down I-89 to play New England College tomorrow.

The Chargers scored twice in a 3:13 span for a 2-0 lead, 15 minutes into the contest. Senior Jake Sykes (Laconia, N.H.) received a through ball from fellow senior Denali Sexton (Barrington, R.I.) and scored into the cross corner of the net in the 13th minute for his fifth goal of the season. Three minutes later, Sexton and junior Yannick Gonsalves (Oak Bluffs, Mass.) played give-and-go to set up a scoring chance. Sexton sliced through the defenders to receive the ball and scored into the left side of the net.

Thomas cut the deficit in half, in the 28th minute, on a lengthy strike from sophomore MacQuille Walker (Hamilton Parish, Bermuda). Walker was by himself 30-yards out and ripped a shot over the Colby-Sawyer keeper and just under the crossbar for his fourth tally of the season.

In the 69th minute, Colby-Sawyer freshman Ahamad Raji (Lagos, Nigeria) was driving into the box when he was fouled resulting in a penalty kick chance for the Chargers. Denali Sexton stepped up to take the shot and he converted his third try in three attempts this season. The goal was Sexton's 11th of the season.

With less than a minute to play, the Terriers benefited from a similar play on the other end of the pitch. Junior Adam LaBrie (Yarmouth, Maine) was fouled as he entered the Colby-Sawyer box and was awarded a penalty kick. The Charger keeper guessed correctly but the ball was struck with force and went off his gloves to pull Thomas within a goal at 3-2, but time ran out on the comeback attempt.

Junior Shane Sacks (Huntington Station, N.Y.) made three saves to improve to 7-2 on the season. Thomas split goalkeeping duties with Jonathan Dutka (Durham, N.H.) logging the first 45 minutes with two goals against and three saves. John Villanueva (Gray, Maine) played the second half and allowed one goal with a pair of stops.

The Chargers held a 15-9 edge in shots and an 11-3 advantage in corner kicks. Colby-Sawyer ranks in the top-3 in the nation in corner kicks per game. 

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