Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--The Western New England University men's soccer team got off to a strong start in league play, defeating the University of New England in its Commonwealth Coast Conference opener Saturday at Suprenant Field by a score of 1-0. The win is the Golden Bears' second in a row, and it improves the team's record to 3-3-1 after a 1-2-1 start.

Western New England was on the attack from the start, getting several shots on net within the first three minutes of the game and forcing UNE goalkeeper Aidan McParland to make a number of saves early.

The Golden Bears struck for the only goal of the game in the fifth minute, when junior forward Ryan Williams took a pass from Jake Bartnik in front of the net and beat McParland for his second goal of the season.

Western New England played great defensively for the second consecutive game, holding UNE to only five shots. Of those five shots, only one was on goal. Golden Bears goalkeeper Nick Starr recorded his second straight shutout in the win.

Despite scoring the one goal very early in the game, the Golden Bears continued to pepper McParland all afternoon. Western New England ended up with 15 shots on goal and 26 shots overall. The Golden Bears also took seven corner kicks, compared to New England's three.

Western New England is back in action this Wednesday, when it will visit Westfield State for a non-CCC game.