FARMINGTON, Maine – Thomas College first-year forward Shafi Ibrahim made a strong individual effort, taking a pass in behind the Beavers' backline before driving to the net and tucking a shot into the lower-right corner. The goal proved to be the difference as the Terriers edged the University of Maine at Farmington, 1-0, in a hard-fought North Atlantic Conference (NAC) battle.
The Records:
Farmington dropped to 3-3-1 overall and suffered its first conference loss of the season, moving to 2-1 in NAC play. Thomas improved to 5-4 overall while remaining unbeaten in the conference at 3-0.
How it Happened:
The beginning of the opening half was largely a midfield battle, with neither side generating much sustained offensive pressure. Farmington earned one corner kick to Thomas' two in the first 20 minutes of play.
The Terriers scored the game's lone goal in the 27th minute. After a turnover by Farmington in the offensive third, Thomas countered quickly. David Ivarsson picked up the ball in the middle of the field and played a through ball to Ibrahim, who raced past the Beavers' defense, took two big touches toward goal, and tucked a shot past UMF goalkeeper Parker Day (Brentwood, N.H.).
Despite Ibrahim's strike, the pace didn't pick up until the second half. A quick flurry from Thomas in the opening 10 minutes nearly doubled the lead, with two shots just wide and a third clanging off the crossbar.
Farmington's best chance came in the 63rd minute after a Terrier foul just outside the penalty area. First-year midfielder Annimer Ibrahim (Lewiston, Maine) fired a free kick over the wall and off the crossbar before Thomas cleared the rebound to preserve their 1-0 advantage.
In the 84th minute, a moment of controversy nearly resulted in an equalizer for the Beavers. Off a free kick from just inside midfield, Caelan Billings (Sullivan, Maine) lofted a ball into the box. It skipped on the slick surface and slipped through to Terrier goalkeeper Jamie Fischer, who appeared to corral it on the goal line. The assistant referee initially signaled that the ball had crossed, but after conferring, the center official ruled that Fischer had been pushed into the net and that the goal would not count.
Thomas held on from there, running out the clock to secure the important conference win.
Stats of the Game:
- Shots: Thomas 16, Farmington 11
- Shots on Goal: Thomas 2, Farmington 2
- Corner Kicks: Thomas 6, Farmington 3
The Goalkeepers:
Day took the tough-luck loss, making one save while playing a key role in breaking up crosses and disrupting Terrier chances. Fischer recorded two saves to post the shutout for Thomas.
UP NEXT
Farmington returns to action Saturday in another NAC matchup against SUNY Cobleskill. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
