BOSTON, Mass. (October 26, 2021) – The Western New England men's soccer team found themselves facing a deficit after the first 45 minutes of play, though got brilliant offense in the second half to even the game, followed by an overtime winner from Mike Milazzo to win the game 3-2 to close out the 2021 regular season schedule. 

Records:

• Western New England: 8-5-4 (4-3-2 CCC)
• Wentworth Insitute of Technology: 9-9 (4-5 CCC)

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears, who were looking to wrap up a top four seed in the upcoming CCC playoffs, did not get off to the start they were looking for in order to complete that task. The hosting Wentworth Institute of Technology Leopards would get the better of the play in the first ten minutes, leading to their first goal of the game. After the Golden Beats cleared away the ball from inside their box, the midfield line for Wentworth found the ball and sent it back into their offensive zone. John Dauphin caught up to a loose ball down the right sideline and sent the ball into the box, which found the foot of Nathan Gosselin, who was able to tap in the chance as he was left unmarked in the box to give the Leopards the 1-0 lead. Gosselin collects his team leading 9^th goal of the season. 

Wentworth would keep on the attack and score their next goal of the half just five minutes after their first. After a foul was whistled on the Golden Bears, the Leopards were awarded with a free kick from just outside the box. John Dauphlin would get his name on the scoresheet again as he took a rifling shot into the bottom right corner of the net, past the dive of Golden Bears goalkeeper Colin Waltsak to give Wentworth the early 2-0 lead. The senior picks up his third tally of the season, after leading his squad with now 11 assists on the year.  Wentworth out shot Western New England 8-5 in the first half, with Waltsak coming away with one save in the first 45 minutes. 

The Western New England offense lulled over the first 20 minutes of the opening half. The Golden Bears were not able to put together much of an attack after being held shot-less for the first 15 minutes of the half. Though as they have been all season, the Golden Bears were relentless and were able to crack by the Leopards defense and score their first goal of the game in the 75^th minute. After a throw in was awarded to WNE, Larsen Keys would take the throw that would drive into the box. Sean O'Neill would flick the ball backwards with his head and see the ball tally into the back of the net to cut the Golden Bears deficit to just a single goal. O'Neill gets his second goal of the season, while Keys picks up his first point of the year. 

Western New England would use the momentum from the O'Neill tally to grab a quick second goal to tie the game at two. After a through ball was crossed into the box, the Golden Bears saw Larsen Keys get his head on the ball and place it into the top right corner of the net to tie the game at two. The Golden Bears would take seven shots in the second half, while Wentworth took ten, only one on target. 

The first overtime period would see Wentworth get the better of the scoring chances, including a chance to win the game in the 95^th minute. After a through ball was sent up the field to the foot of John Dauphin, he was able to get by his defender and go one on one with Waltsak. An attempted shot would be knocked down by Waltsak, denying the scoring chance for Wentworth. Waltsak would come out of the first OT session with four saves on four shots on goal by the Leopards. 

The Golden Bears saw the better of the play in the second half as they were able to keep the ball in their attacking third for much of the clock. Two corner kicks and two shots for the Golden Bears would attempt to win the game in the second OT frame, though WNE would be unable to come up with a winner, yet. In the 105^th minute, Western New England's Jonny Clough sent a ball wide of the net, resulting in a goal kick. GK Robbie West's goal kick made it to midfield, though was played quickly back up the field by Western New England. Senior Connor Mullins would find first year Mike Milazzo go one on one with a defender. Milazzo would take a quick right footed shot that fooled West and went into the lower left corner of the net to give Western New England the victory. 

Inside the Lines:

• After being down 2-0, the Golden Bears fought back on tallies from Sean O'Neill and Larsen Keys, followed by the game winning goal in overtime by Mike Milazzo to lift WNE over Wentworth. 
• Larsen Keys picks up his first goal of the season and fifth overall on the year to tie the game late. Keys has made six appearances and five starts for Western New England on the year. 
• GK Colin Waltsak came away with seven saves in the win for Western New England, which included four in the overtime period. 
• Mike Milazzo adds to his team lead on the afternoon picking up his 8^th goal of the season.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will travel to Gordon College on Saturday, October 30 in the CCC playoffs. 
• Wentworth hosts Suffolk University in the CCC quarterfinals on Thursday, October 28.