Box Score
Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Senior forward
Austin Santolini (Agawam, MA) scored the game-winning goal in the 68
th minute as top-seeded Western New England captured the 2011 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship with a 1-0 win over third-seeded Nichols on Saturday (Nov. 5) at Suprenant Field.
With the win, Western New England earns the conference's automatic berth in the NCAA
Division III Championship.
The Golden Bears, ranked 23
rd nationally, will be making their seventh appearance at the national tournament in the last eight years.
After a scoreless first half that saw limited chances for both sides, Santolini scored the game's lone goal at 68:31 on an assist from senior midfielder
Shawn Fitzpatrick (Burnt Hills, NY).
The match was extremely even throughout, with Nichols holding a slight 12-11 edge in shots. The Golden Bears landed a 4-2 edge in shots on goal, and also held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
The Bison had their best chance of the day early in the second half as senior midfielder
Danny Smith (Verona, NJ) struck a ball from well outside the box that glanced off the right post.
WNE sophomore goalkeeper
Domenick Villano (Bronxville, NY) made a pair of saves to keep a clean sheet in net.
Nichols senior goalie
Brendan Hamilton (North Attleboro, MA) recorded three saves in the loss.
Contact: Matt Pettinicchi, Western New England athletic communications assistant
(413) 796-2166
mpettini@wne.edu
