Local star Taig Healy makes big impact as UNH men's soccer makes history in NCAA tourney

DURHAM — Taig Healy is becoming an impact player for the University of New Hampshire men’s soccer team.

The latest example came Sunday afternoon, when the sophomore midfielder/forward came through on a big stage. Healy jump-started the Wildcats’ offense with a goal in the sixth minute that stood up as the game-winner in a 3-0 victory over Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

More: UNH beats defending national champs; will host Clemson in NCAA Round of 16 next Sunday

Healy, a 2022 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, has four goals and three assists this season with the bulk of the damage coming in the last eight games. He scored his first collegiate goal in a 2-1 win over Boston University in the second game of the season.

“He’s a young guy that just needs to mature and grow just like anyone else in the program,” said UNH coach Marc Hubbard. “Super talented. Obviously, he can score and create for us and all the other little things he’s gotten better at over the course of time. Still has room to grow.”

All but one assist has come during that eight-game stretch ignited by his performance in a match against UMBC when he had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win in mid-October and earned America East Offensive Player of the Week for his effort.

“Just building chemistry game by game with the strikers and the guys behind me, and we all understand how each other play,” said Healy, a longtime Seacoast United player who grew up in Hampton. “I think we did that at the beginning. We got a bunch of new guys together and really worked as a unit, especially in the front six. It’s definitely helping me as a player as well.”

Healy among UNH leaders on offense

Healy is tied for third on the team in goals, assists, and points (11). The goal against Syracuse was his second game-winner of the season, which also ties him for third on the team in that category.

“Taig is one of the most talented players I’ve ever played with,” said grad student and captain Eli Goldman. “The thing for him was just getting the mental side, the tactical, all the little things, and everyone knew what he could do. He can do things that no one else can do on the field. Putting that all together, he’s grown all season from the beginning to the end and now you’ve seen what Taig can do best.”

Teammates Georgios Koliniatis and Liam Bennett of Concord assisted on Healy's goal, which came on a right-footed shot along the ground to the far side of the cage. It immediately brought the majority of the 2,750 fans in attendance to their feet.

“Georgios Koliniatis opened up,” Healy said. “I saw there was a lot of space so I pulled myself wide. When he played me the ball, I shifted off my right foot and faked a shot with my left. That’s usually my go-to. I just tried to put it low and hard across the keeper.”

Healy, who played 63 of the 90 minutes Sunday, is one of six players with New Hampshire roots on the Wildcats' roster.

“To have a hometown kid like Taig out there doing business and helping us achieve these things, and being a New Hampshire guy is special to me,” Hubbard said.

Healy sees Clemson game as big opportunity in NH

No. 8 UNH, its highest seed ever, will host a third-round game for the first time in program history Sunday (5 p.m.) when they take on No. 9 Clemson at Wildcat Stadium. With a win, the Wildcats would reach the national quarterfinals for the first time.

Healy’s role has expanded this season after recording one assist in limited action last year as a freshman. He has three goals and three assists in his last eight games.

“It’s pretty special,” Healy said. “Last year we made it to this round, and that was cool. We had a few New Hampshire guys but we’ve never hosted a round of 16 game as a Wildcat. This would be a huge thing if we could win. Being a New Hampshire guy, it allows all my friends and family to come to the game. Coach is from New Hampshire as well. It means a lot to the New Hampshire guys and the people around us.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Taig Healy impact player for UNH men's soccer in NCAA College Cup