Box Score Box Score

DUDLEY, Mass. - Freshman forward Nina Vital (Ludlow, MA) scored the winning goal in the 96th minute to lift the Western New England College women's soccer team to a dramatic 3-2 overtime win over Nichols Friday night (Sept. 24) in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) contest.

Vital's shot capped a furious late game comeback for the Golden Bears who tallied two goals in a 26-second span with a little more than five minutes remaining in regulation.
 
Senior defender Nicole Poli (Medfield, MA) scored the first WNEC goal as she lofted a shot over Nichols sophomore goalkeeper Maureen Lynch (Holbrook, MA) from 30 yards out at 84:25.

Senior midfielder Shannon Pescatello (Wethersfield, CT) received the assist.

The Golden Bears quickly struck back, tying the game when senior forward Heather Mortell (Webster, MA) notched her fourth goal of the year at 84:51. Mortell also assisted on Vital's game-winning goal.

Nichols took a 2-0 advantage following goals by junior forward Chelsea Shaughnessy (Halifax, MA) on a penalty kick in the 36th minute and freshman forward Starleena Cash (Springfield, MA) in the 53rd minute with an assist from junior midfielder Laurel Houle (Brooklyn, CT).

Western New England College freshman goalkeeper Kayla Prout (Holyoke, MA) recorded seven saves to pick up the victory. Lynch finished with  10 saves in net for the hosts.

The Golden Bears improve their record to 5-4 (3-1 TCCC), while the Bison slip to 7-2 (3-2 TCCC).

Western New England College returns to action on Wednesday (Sept. 29) afternoon with an away conference match against Regis starting 4:00 p.m. in Weston, Massachusetts.