Box Score WILLIMANTIC, Conn.--The Western New England University women's soccer team kicked off the 2014 campaign with a tough 1-0 loss at the hands of host Eastern Connecticut State University in the opening round of the Warrior Classic at Thomas Nevers Field on Friday. It was the first meeting between the teams in 23 seasons.

Despite getting outshot by a 16-2 margin, Western New England had a fine performance in goal by junior Briana Kubik who finished with seven saves.

The Warriors finally broke through the scoreless deadlock in the 64th minute with a goal by freshman Nikki Basilicato, assisted by Whitney Mantel and Taylor Shannon. The only goal of the afternoon came off a corner kick play.

Neither team seriously threatened until the go-ahead goal, although WNE senior midfielder Sarah Stevens made a bid 15 minutes into play with a one-timer off a cross that carried wide left. Two minutes into the second half, Basilicato found freshman midfielder Emily Becher ahead of the field with a perfect feed, but Kubik came off her line to smother the attempt. Junior forward Emma Norden came off the bench to account for WNE's other shot, signaling her first appearance on the field since Oct. 27, 2012, after missing the entire last season due to an injury.

Eastern Connecticut junior keeper Rachel Skelton did not make a save to record her fourth shutout in 11 career starts.

In the other first-round match in the Classic, University of Saint Joseph-Conn. downed Manhattanville College, 3-1, at GoValiants.com field on the Manhattanville campus. On Sunday at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex, Manhattanville faces WNE at noon and Eastern meets Saint Joseph at 2:30 p.m.

(Editor's note: Eastern Athletics contributed to this game recap.)