Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 23, 2021) – After honoring their season during pregame ceremonies, the Western New England University women's soccer team were bested by the visiting Endicott College Gulls 3-2 after the Gulls jumped out to an early 3-0 lead that the Golden Bears were unable to bounce back from at Suprenant Field on Saturday afternoon.
Records:
- Western New England: 10-6 (6-2 CCC)
- Endicott College: 9-3-2 (7-1 CCC)
How it Happened:
Western New England started early on the attack taking an early shot on goal though it was taken care of by Rosalina Caliri. Endicott would grab some momentum in the 13th minute and tally their first goal of the game. After a through ball was sent through by Lindsey Papa, Jaymie Caponigro stepped to the ball in open field and took a shot past GK Molly McLaughlin to give the Gulls the early 1-0 lead. Western New England would look to get the momentum back to end the first half, though they were unable to get a shot past Endicott, with the scoring remaining 1-0 after one half. WNE took six shots towards goal, putting two on goal. Endicott took three shots at goal, nailing one on goal, which was the game's opening goal.
To open the second half, Endicott would grab their second goal of the game of a goal which was a mirror image of their first goal. This time, it was Riley Rischitelli sending a ball forward to Caponigro, who once again was able to put the ball past a diving McLaughlin and into the net to give Endicott the 2-0 lead. Caponigro tallies her second goal of the game and sixth goal overall on the season. Just 12 minutes later, Endicott was back on the attack, grabbing their 3rd goal of the afternoon. Riley Rischitelli was back at it again as she was able to find a loose ball inside the box. After a corner kick was awarded, Endicott sent the ball into the box that was knocked down and bounced around before Rischitelli was able to find it and send the ball into the lower middle of the net to give EC the 3-0 lead.
The Golden Bears offense would answer quickly after the Gulls third tally of the afternoon when Kristin Decost sent a perfectly executed ball into the box and towards the back post. Decost's ball found the foot of Samantha Vitka who tapped the ball into the goal to give Western New England their first goal of the afternoon. Vitka grabs her fourth tally of the season.
Shortly after the goal from Vitka, Western New England would be awarded a free kick and take advantage. Autumn Hathaway, who was honored as a senior prior to the game's start, took the free kick and went for goal on the shot and placed the ball up and just under the right side of crossbar and into the net to give WNE their second goal of the game. Western New England brought their deficit from three goals to one goal in just a four minute and thirty-four second span. Hathaway nets her third goal of the season for WNE.
After their second goal of the game, Western New England pushed for the game typing goal, though the defense from Endicott tightened up and made things difficult for the Golden Bears. WNE would see another chance, their final chance come in the 88th minute when Lindsay Reidy saw space in the open field and moved towards the ball and the box. Reidy was able to catch up to the loose ball and while on the run she took a big strike that sailed straight towards goal, though a diving, acrobatic effort from Rosalina Caliri saved the Gulls from giving up the game tying goal, holding Endicott to a 3-2 win over Western New England.
Inside the Lines:
- WNE senior's Samantha Vitka and Autumn Hathaway netted goals for the Golden Bears in the loss. Prior to the game, Vitka, Hathaway, Kristin Decost, Allison Bruehwiler, Hannah Richard, Olivia Besthoff, Mackenzie Holy, and Vanessa Chiarella were honored as the women's soccer senior class of 2022.
- Endicott was led by both Rosalina Caliri, who made six saves in the win and Jaymie Caopnigro, who scored two goals in the win.
- Western New England doubled Endicott in shots on the afternoon, taking 14 shots to Endicott's seven. WNE also doubled up Endicott in corner kicks taking six of the nine awarded on the afternoon.
- Both teams were caught offsides once in the game.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- Western New England will hit the road for their final game of the season on Tuesday, October 26 when they take on Wentworth Institute of Technology at 4:00 pm. Following the CCC women's soccer week of games, the playoff schedule and seedings will be announced.
- Endicott plays on the road at Nichols College on Wednesday, October 27 at 3:00 pm for their final regular season game of the season.
