Nashua Eagles striker Clinton Mungeta Ngongo can't get the ball by Lincoln goalie Calvin Fox during the teams' 1-1 tie at Rivier's Joanne Merrill Field on Saturday night. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Jerold White is trying figure out which Eagles of the International Soccer Club of Nashua team he coaches.

Was it the sluggish team that struggled getting its offense in gear in the first half of Saturday night’s 1-1 tie with Lincoln (R.I.) CF at Rivier University’s Joanne Merrill Field?

Or was it the offensive dynamo that had numerous chances, leading not only to the tie but leaving the feeling the Eagles should have won?

“No clue man, no clue,” White said. “I don’t understand why we play well in certain circumstances. It’s just a combination of guys, right? We just have to make it to a system they understand and can attack when we want them to attack.”

White thinks the addition of more legs helped the Eagles, 0-2-2 in the United Premiere Soccer League’s Northeast Conference Patriot Division, get more offensive chances in the final 45 minutes.

They had a great one when former Nashua South standout Kody Lopez fired a cross to the middle that Clinton Mungeta Ngongo headed in past Lincoln goalie Calvin Fox (4 saves) in the 68th minute to tie the game. White said putting Ngongo in the game in the second half made a difference.

“When I got in, I was hungry for a goal,” Fornoh said. “When we went to the locker room (at halftime), Coach told us we had to come back hot, which we did. And me getting in gave us a lot of energy.

“Kody had a great ball, and I just went up to it and passed it into the net.”

It was the last game of the season for Lopez, who is leaving for Air Force boot camp in San Antonio, Tex. next week. Lopez came up from his right defender spot to make the key pass.

“It’s a tough loss, but we have some guys who are going to be able to fill his shoes, and he’s going to help us out in the military,” White said. “We’re definitely proud of him, and he really stepped up, he played a great game.”

Lincoln (0-1-2) took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Valter DaCruz about 10 minutes into the contest, a defensive mixup. But it’s clear the Eagles need a sidekick for striker Quincy Appah, who was basically triple teamed and shut down.

“He’s a big player, we have to give him his shot but give the younger guys their shot as well,” White said. “Having Clinton here is going to be a big force, having him and Quincy playing together.”

Still, the Eagles are hungry for that first win.

“It’ definitely disappointing, because we had many many more opportunities,” White said. “All the opportunities we had, we have to put them away.”

With about 10 minutes left, Ngongo found himself alone with Fox about 10 yards out from the goal. But Fox booted the ball away while on the ground.

“The one on one with Clinton and the keeper, you definitely have to put that one away,” White said. “That’s a finish.”

“I missed that second chance,” Ngongo admitted. “But as each week goes on we’re going to get better and better for sure.”

“It’ll come,” White said. “It’s a new bunch of guys, but we’ll definitely get it.”