Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--The Western New England University men's soccer team came away with a hard-fought 1-0 non-conference victory over Keene State Wednesday afternoon at Suprenant Field. The win improves the Golden Bears' record to 2-3-1, while the loss for Keene State puts its record at 3-2.

The lone goal of the contest was scored by sophomore Chad Barrett in the 25th minute on a corner kick piece. Ryan Williams took a short corner to Shawn DaCruz, who gave a pass back to Williams on the overlap, then Williams curled a beautiful right-footed ball to Barrett who headed home his first goal of the season from about 10 yards out.

Western New England was able to create several scoring opportunities with its seven corner kicks, including the goal by Barrett. Keene State, on the other hand, did not take a single corner kick in the game.

The Golden Bears played tough defense, holding the Owls without a true scoring opportunity until the 75th minute, when a Keene State forward headed the ball over the cross bar with an open net in front of him.

Keene State had seven shots on goal compared to the Golden Bears' five, but Western New England outshot the Owls 16-12 overall. Senior goalkeeper and captain Nick Starr recorded his second shutout of the season and the third of his career.

Both teams will be back in action this Saturday, when the Golden Bears host the University of New England and Keene State returns home to face UMass Boston.