Haverhill, MA (September 4, 2025) – The Northern Essex Community College men's soccer team, ranked 10^th in the NJCAA week one poll dropped a 4-1 non-conference decision to Southern Maine Community College on Thursday evening. The loss drops the Knights to 1-2 on the season.

The Knights trailed 1-0 at halftime when SMCC took a 1-0 lead in the 40^th minute though the Knights had multiple chances in the opening 45 minutes as they hit a pair crossbars in the games opening 20 minutes.

In the second half, NECC had a chance to tie the contest on two occasions as they missed a pair of penalty kicks in the 65^th and 73^rd minutes. SMCC took a 3-0 advantage with goals in the 80^th and 82^nd minutes, before NECC got on the board when Thomas Kotas (Methuen) converted a penalty kick in the 84^th minute.

SMCC recorded their final tally in the 88^th.

Dylan Gavin (Methuen) recorded 7 saves in defeat for the Knights.