SPRINGFIELD, Mass. â€" Usually when Western New England College and Springfield meet in women's soccer, you can expect a well-played match.

That was certainly the case Tuesday (Sept. 5) when the SC Pride held on for a 3-2 non-league victory at Suprenant Field.

Sophomore back Kayla Thibeault (Lebanon, CT) scored the game-winning goal with 1:43 remaining as Springfield defeated Western New England College for the first time in three years.

Last year the teams battled to a 1-1 double overtime tie following a 2-1 win by Western New England College in 2004.

The Pride (3-0) took a 1-0 lead when sophomore forward Nicole Hanewich (Cumberland, RI) hit the back of the net with an assist from freshman midfielder Jillian Pereira (East Providence, RI) in the 14th minute.

The Golden Bears (1-1) tied the contest on a goal by senior forward Jen Woishnis (Chicopee, MA) with an assist from junior forward Danielle Matte (Nashua, NH) in the 23rd minute.

Neither team could score for 32 minutes until sophomore midfielder Lauren Peltier (Agawam, MA) gave SC a 2-1 lead in the 55th minute. Senior midfielder Michelle Bongiovanni (West Springfield, MA) received the assist.

Springfield appeared to put the game out of reach when Thibeault weaved her way through several defenders and fired a shot home for a 3-1 advantage.

WNEC came right back and pulled within a goal only 13 seconds later when freshman back Kristen Culver (Westhampton, MA) netted her first collegiate goal with 1:30 left in the game with an assist from junior midfielder Jill Caracciolo (Burnt Hills, NY).

The two goals were the first of the season allowed by Springfield who outscored its previous two opponents by a 9-0 margin.