JOHNSON, VT | PRESQUE ISLE, ME
UMPI Men's Soccer has struggled to generate offensive opportunities so far this season, and those struggles continued in a shutout loss to VTSU-Johnson on Saturday which was the NAC opener for UMPI in 2026. They fell quickly behind against USM, but a game of it and also found the back of the net for the first time of the year, keeping it a close one throughout against a very formidable opponent out of the Little East Conference.
Saturday: 2-0 Badgers
UMPI's offensive woes bled into their NAC opener; however, they certainly generated more opportunities than they have all year, just were unable to finish. The Owls had 16 shots—eight of which were on target. The Owls outshot the Badgers of VTSU Johnosn who managed 11 shots and six on goal but capitalized twice. The first one came just one minute into the game, ensuring they'd play from ahead at home. They made it 2-0 at the 25 minute mark, and that is all they'd need the rest of the way. Johnson's Josiah Phillips was the entirety of their offense, scoring both goals, and putting four shots of his five on target.
Top Performers:
With more offense generated, the Owls had more guys getting stats on this day. Isaac Doore led the way with four shots, and two on target while Edmundo Cuervo-Alanis had three shots, and two on target. Billy Wray from off the bench also had three shots and two on target. Ranger Morton, and Andrew Morales both had a shot on goal as well, but agonizingly, none of the Owls could finish on this day.
Sunday: 3-1 Huskies
The Owls made the long trek back from Johnson, Vermont, and played hosts to the University of Southern Maine for the first time in history. The Huskies got out the gate early, scoring in the 5th minute and then again on a penalty kick in the 11th minute resulting from a foul in the box.
Staring down a 2-0 lead to an LEC team, the Owls could have rolled over on the game. But they refused to do so, fighting to keep it close and ultimately found themselves in the 37th minute with a set piece a few yards outside the 18 yard box. Edmundo Cuervo-Alanis took the kick and placed it perfectly on the low left post, just out of reach of the diving USM kicker. The goal was the Owls' first of the season and changed the complexion of the contest. UMPI didn't threaten much in the second half however, as USM made adjustments and prevented the Owls from getting any shots off in the second half at all. The Huskies scored again in the 76th minute which served as the dagger and solidified a 3-1 win at Park Family Field.
Top Performers:
The Owls had three shots all day, and just the one on target courtesy of Edmundo Cuervo-Alanis with his goal in the 37th minute. He had two total shots, and Joel Cormier had the third for UMPI.
Goalkeeper Christo Veselinovic made his first start since the season opener and made three saves to keep the Owls within reach.
Next Up:
UMPI falls to 0-5-1, and will travel to Augusta this Tuesday for a midweek match versus UMA starting at 1pm.
