New College of Florida Men's Soccer opened the 2026 season Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought 2-1 loss to RV Faulkner University at Billy Hilyer Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama Saturday.
The Mighty Banyans (0-1) struck first behind a 27th-minute goal from Ducamel Jeannestin and remained even with the Eagles deep into the second half. Faulkner eventually broke the 1-1 deadlock in the 83rd minute to hand NCF its first loss of the season.
SophomoreGoalkeeper Cooper Kambak kept the Mighty Banyans in the match throughout the afternoon, recording 11 saves as Faulkner put 13 of its 21 shots on goal.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
Faulkner applied pressure early, forcing Kambak into four saves over the opening 25 minutes, but it was NCF that broke through first.
Micah Nelson helped create the opening goal in the 27th minute, finding Jeannestin, who buried the opportunity to give the Mighty Banyans a 1-0 advantage. The goal was Jeannestin's first of the season, while Nelson picked up his first assist.
Kambak continued to turn away the Eagles following the goal, making five more saves before the end of the opening half. Faulkner finally found the equalizer with 1:38 remaining before halftime as Julio Cesar scored off an assist from Bernardo Juca to send the teams into the break tied 1-1.
The Mighty Banyans' defense continued to hold firm throughout much of the second half. Faulkner nearly took the lead in the 71st minute when Konsti Witte hit the crossbar, but the match remained tied.
NCF began generating chances of its own late in the match. Jeannestin sent an attempt wide in the 77th minute before Nelson put a shot on target in the 80th that was cleared away by the Faulkner defense.
The Eagles finally broke through at the 82:05 mark when Pedro Trindade scored off assists from Juan Rojas and Juca to give Faulkner its first lead of the afternoon.
NCF continued to push for an equalizer, earning two corner kicks over the final seven minutes while Cameron Johnson sent an attempt wide in the 86th minute, but the Mighty Banyans were unable to find a second goal before the final whistle.
THE TURNING POINT
NCF stood just under eight minutes away from opening the season with at least a result on the road.
With the match still tied 1-1, Faulkner finally found its breakthrough at the 82:05 mark as Trindade scored the eventual game-winner off assists from Rojas and Juca.
The Mighty Banyans responded by earning a pair of late corner kicks but couldn't produce the equalizer.
BY THE NUMBERS
11
Saves recorded by Kambak in his first career start as a Mighty Banyan.
83
Minutes NCF remained either tied or ahead before Faulkner scored the eventual game-winner at 82:05.
27
Minute in which Jeannestin scored NCF's first goal of the 2026 season.
5
Shots recorded by the Mighty Banyans, with Jeannestin leading NCF with two.
2
Shots on goal for NCF, coming from Jeannestin and Nelson also number of corner kicks earned by NCF, both coming over the final seven minutes of the match.
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STAT LEADERS
Goals: Ducamel Jeannestin - 1
Assists: Micah Nelson - 1
Shots: Ducamel Jeannestin - 2; Zachariah Abraham - 1; Micah Nelson - 1; Cameron Johnson - 1
Shots on Goal: Ducamel Jeannestin - 1; Micah Nelson - 1
Goalkeeper: Cooper Kambak - 90 minutes, 2 goals allowed, 11 saves
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UP NEXT: NCF will return to action Wednesday in Lakeland to take on Florida Poly in a 7 p.m. EST match.
