A shot by Kimball Union Academy's Ethan Barrett goes wide as Northfield Mount Hermon goalie Khamari Culcleasure dives to cover the space on Pope Field in Meriden, N.H., Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. Northfield Mount Hermon won 2 - 0. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
A shot by Kimball Union Academy's Ethan Barrett goes wide as Northfield Mount Hermon goalie Khamari Culcleasure dives to cover the space on Pope Field in Meriden, N.H., Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018. Northfield Mount Hermon won 2 - 0. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. Credit: Valley News photographs — James M. Patterson

Meriden — The Kimball Union Academy boys soccer team suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of Northfield Mount Hermon, 2-0, on Wednesday at Pope Field in a very defensive battle that saw only four total shots on net between the teams.

NMH jumped out to an early 1-0 lead before the game moved to a possession battle, with both teams trying to find room to open up the field and make a play. It was not until late in the match that the Hoggers again found the net. They took only two shots on goal in the game and put them both away.

KUA (7-1-1) is only halfway through its season. With several games still remaining until the playoffs, the Wildcats have clear goals in mind for the remainder of the season, and the NEPSAC Class B tournament, especially after jumping out to such a hot start.

“If we have the same kind of year we had in the first half, I think we will be in the top four (seedings) and get a home game,” Kimball Union coach Michael Doherty said. “I have a lot of confidence in this group. I think if we get in this tournament, we can make a run at it.”

Wednesday’s game was not what the Wildcats hoped for, or are used to this season. KUA controlled play with good passing and a lot of energy, but could not solve the Hoggers’ defense.

NMH (7-1-2) jumped on an early opportunity as its first goal was scored only three minutes into play. Keel Brissett drove up the right side of the field and made a pass just inside the 18-yard line, where a streaking Fabian Windhagen put the ball past the KUA keeper.

The game moved into the midfield for the next 80 minutes, with little scoring opportunities on either side. KUA controlled play, especially for the remainder of the first half, when it consistently possessed the ball while NMH defended its zone clearing the ball. But the Hoggers had few clean passes or offensive drives. The Wildcats controlled the ball, but weren’t able to get any shots on net in the first half.

“I thought after the first 10 minutes of the match, we settled in and actually carried the play,” Doherty said. “I thought we carried the play in the second half. They had one shot on goal in the second half and they scored late in the game. So that happens … that is part of the game.”

The Wildcats had their chances in the second half. KUA had a shot wide on a potential game-tying play, a pair of corner kicks and a pair of close direct kicks that didn’t result in a real scoring chance.

NMH, took advantage again, this time with seven minutes remaining to ensure the win. A turnover between two KUA players led to Windhagen streaking down the middle of the field. He became out numbered by the Wildcats’ defense, four to one, and slowed down play until Brissett could catch up. Windhagen controlled and passed to Brissett, who scored.

“Some days are better than others,” Doherty said.

The Wildcats travel to New Hampton on Friday in hopes of bouncing back.