Phantoms Sneak by Voltage

Jordan Thomas scored in the 25th minute and it was all the Seacoast United Phantoms would need to take a 1-0 home victory at Portsmouth High School against the visiting Vermont Voltage on Saturday night.

The win helps the unbeaten Phantoms (5-0-3, 18 points) keep within a point of the Northeast Division leading Ottawa Fury (6-1-1, 19 points).  Vermont (0-7-2, 2 points), meanwhile, remains winless and at the bottom of the division.

In a first half largely devoid of chances, Thomas made one of the just three combined opening first half shots count. The University of New Hampshire forward beat Voltage ‘keeper Ryan Brooks-Newton in the 25th minute for the game’s lone goal and his first goal of the season.

“The first half was difficult because we struggled with possession,” said Voltage Assistant General Manager Mark Benson in a team press release. “The second half was much better.”

Though the Voltage had the better of the play in the second half, outshooting the Phantoms 5-1 and hitting the crossbar twice, they were unable to beat goalkeeper Colin O’Donnell, who made five saves in leading the Phantoms to their fourth shutout in eight games this season.

Voltage defender Stefan Antonijevic was ejected in stoppage time.

The Voltage return on Wednesday night to face the GPS Portland Phoenix at 7 p.m. Vermont plays their final seven games at home. Seacoast United, meanwhile, travels to Portland to face the GPS Portland Phoenix on Sunday night

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