Springfield, Mass. – October 12, 2024 – The Springfield College men's soccer team earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw with MIT in NEWMAC play this afternoon on Brock-Affleck Field.

Springfield, which has now earned at least a point in three of four conference contests this fall, moved to 4-6-2 overall and 2-1-1 in the league, while MIT moved to 6-7-1, 1-2-1. In the evenly played matchup, MIT held a 14-13 edge in shots and a 4-2 differential in corner kicks.

Springfield's offense was powered by Parker Thornton (Malden, Mass.), who registered both goals for the homestanding Pride today. Both Matthew Mela (Natick, Mass.) and Cole Sampson (Hingham, Mass.) were credited with assists as well for Springfield in the effort. Thornton's two goals were his first two of the season and seventh and eighth of his career.

It also marked the first multi-goal game for Parker of his collegiate career.

In the 28th minute, Springfield was awarded a free kick from about 30 yards out. Mela lined up from the far side of the field and booted the ball into the box and to the foot of Thornton, who ripped a shot to give the Pride the 1-0 edge. 

After taking a 1-0 lead into the break, MIT stormed back for two goals in less than three minutes early in the second. Shikhar Motupally found the equalizer for the Engineers off a feed from Kaleb Asfaw before Dilin Meloni gave MIT a 2-1 lead after his shot found the back of the net off a pass from Motupally.

Thornton wasn't done as 2:07 after MIT gained the lead, he knotted the score at two. Sampson took the throw in and ripped it into the box in the air and found Thornton to account for the 2-2 final.

This marked Springfield's first result against MIT since October of 2018 as the Engineers had won the previous four matchups between the clubs.

Noah Pote (Washington, Conn.) made a pair of saves for Springfield in the draw.

Springfield will host WPI next Saturday, October 19 in a NEWMAC tilt at 3:00 pm.

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