SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 24, 2015) - The Western New England University women's soccer team opened up a two-goal lead by halftime on its way to a 3-0, Senior Day victory over Nichols College this afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at Suprenant Field.

Seniors Casey Magee (Mattapoisett, Mass.) and Rebecca Mercieri (East Longmeadow, Mass.) connected just under six minutes into the contest to give Western New England a 1-0 lead that it would not relinquish. Magee carried the ball down the left flank before sending a cross into the box to Mercieri, who finished the play with her first goal of the season (7^th of career).

The Golden Bears doubled their advantage in the 37^th minute, when senior midfielder Alicia Lewis (Johnsonville, N.Y.) launched a throw into the box and sophomore Danielle Dixon (Plainville, Conn.) found junior Brooke Labrie (Granby, Mass.), who chipped a shot over Nichols senior goalkeeper Kelly English (Mansfield, Mass.) and into the lower left corner of the net. Labrie is now tied with senior Emma Norden (Belchertown, Mass.) for the team lead with five goals.

Western New England controlled play in the first half, outshooting the Bison 10-2 and holding a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks. Golden Bears senior goalkeeper Briana Kubik (Blandford, Mass.) made one of her three saves in the first half, en route to her third shutout of the season (21^st of career).

Western New England capped the scoring in the 65^th minute, when junior forward Samantha Emmert (Hyde Park, N.Y.) took a pass from sophomore midfielder Christina Delude (Belchertown, Mass.) and finished with a quick touch into the right side of the net.

The Golden Bears finished the match with a 17-5 edge in shots, including an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal, and took four corner kicks while holding the Bison without one.

English turned aside five of the eight shots that came her way over the course of the contest, making three saves in the first half. Senior forward Elizabeth Coleman (West Roxbury, Mass.) led the Nichols attack with two shots, both of which were on goal.

Western New England (4-12-2, 2-5-1 CCC) wraps up its regular season with a Tuesday night match at Curry. With a win, the Golden Bears would clinch a spot in the CCC Tournament, which is slated to begin next Saturday. Nichols (2-13-1, 0-8 CCC) returns home to host Salve Regina University for its season finale on Wednesday afternoon.