Haverhill, MA (October 10, 2025) – The Northern Essex Community College men's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw on Friday evening in a non-contest featuring a pair of nationally recognized programs. The Knights, ranked 10th in the weekly NJCAA poll hosted Central Maine Community College who entered the contest ranked number one in the USCAA.
The evenly played contest saw CMCC jump out to 1-0 lead in the 26th minute after a Mustang attacker was taken down in the top left corner of the box and converted a penalty kick, just beyond the outstretched arms NECC keeper Dylan Gavin (Methuen).
CMCC took the 1-0 advantage into halftime before the Knights earned the equalizer in the 64th minute when Michael Villaman (Andover) sent a long pass down the left that found the foot of Ilembo Kiza (Lowell) who sent the ball past the challenging CM goalkeeper to the right side of the net for his team leading fifth goal of the season.
The Knights nearly earned the victory with 40 seconds remaining as Maxim Chriss (Lexington) struck the right post.
For the match NECC outshot CMCC 14-10, with each team placing half their shots on target. Gavin made four saves in goal for the Knights. NECC also earned six corner kicks in the match compared to three for CMCC.