MANCHESTER, N.H. – Junior Nick
Papamichael (Raymond, N.H.) totaled three goals in his
first game in a Southern New Hampshire University uniform as the
eighth-ranked Penmen defeated Molloy College 4-0 in non-conference
men's soccer Thursday night at Larkin Field. The game marked
the season opener for both teams.
Papamichael, who spent last season
at New Hampshire Technical Institute, is a 2006 graduate of Raymond
High School. His hat trick was the first by an SNHU player
since David McGuire scored three times against Assumption on
October 20, 2004.
The Penmen got on the board 54
seconds before halftime. Jordan Branco
(Norton, Mass.) played a ball over to Papamichael, who one-timed it
past Molloy goalkeeper Michael Hunter. Southern New Hampshire
carried its 1-0 lead into halftime.
SNHU would put the game away with
three goals in the final 8:30. In the 82nd minute,
Mark
Cotton (Londonderry, N.H.) put a shot on goal off a
corner kick, but his attempt was stopped by Hunter.
Papamichael collected the rebound and fired it home to make it
2-0.
Chris Tsonis
(Dartmouth, Mass.) made it 3-0 with just under three minutes to
play when he raced past a Molloy defender and beat Hunter
low. Papamichael completed his hat trick with 36 seconds
remaining as he knocked home a corner kick by Mike
Adam (Ludlow, Mass.).
Joey Kapinos
(Ludlow, Mass.) went the distance in goal for SNHU and turned aside
three shots en route to the shutout. Hunter made six saves as
the Penmen outshot the Lions 23-9, including a 13-3 edge over the
final 45 minutes.
SNHU returns to action Saturday
when it hosts C.W. Post in a 1:00 contest at Larkin Field.
The Pioneers are the preseason favorites in the East Coast
Conference.
