Five Towns Falls in Narrow 2–1 Battle at Maritime Despite Strong Start
A strong first-half performance and early goal from Andre Hickling weren’t enough for Five Towns College, as the Sound fell 2–1 on the road to Maritime College in a tightly contested non-conference matchup Tuesday night.
THROGGS NECK, NY — The Five Towns College men's soccer team came out strong in Tuesday night's non-conference matchup against Maritime College, striking first and controlling much of the opening half. Despite the early momentum and a hard-fought performance, the Sound came up just short, falling 2–1 on the road at Reinhart Field.
In the 28th minute, Five Towns capitalized on an opportunity after drawing a foul in the box. Andre Hickling confidently stepped up and buried the penalty kick, giving the Sound a 1–0 lead — his first goal of the season and a key early breakthrough for FTC.
That advantage held through halftime thanks to organized defending and quality possession play, with goalkeeper Jose Garcia and the backline staying alert to limit Maritime's chances.
After controlling much of the first half, the Sound saw their lead slip in the 55th minute, when Maritime equalized off a header from Carson Sadler following a set piece. Despite a strong defensive setup, a low cross in the 66th minute led to Sadler's second goal of the match, giving the Privateers a 2–1 advantage.
Down by one, Five Towns pushed for the equalizer in the final 20 minutes, creating several dangerous chances. The Sound forced Maritime goalkeeper Augusto Lebron into action multiple times, including a highlight-reel save that denied what looked like a certain goal.
Five Towns registered 15 total shots, with four on target, showcasing their offensive intent throughout. Despite strong efforts from players like Jean Kazadi, Anthony Campos, and Gabriel Santos, the Sound were unable to break through again.
Sound Standouts
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Andre Hickling – Scored FTC's lone goal on a penalty in the first half, bringing energy and impact off the bench.
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Jose Garcia – Tallied four saves in net, keeping the Sound in contention throughout.
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Jean Kazadi – Posed a constant threat in the attacking third, recording two shots and helping drive the late offensive push.
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Five Towns Defense – Held strong through extended stretches and played a disciplined first half.
What's Next
The Sound (1-1-0) look to bounce back from their first loss of the season as they continue non-conference play. Tuesday's match showed flashes of promise, with the team controlling play for long periods and generating opportunities on goal. With more clinical finishing and continued cohesion, Five Towns is poised to turn tight matches into victories moving forward.
