Box Score NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (September 21, 2021)- The Wester New England University women's soccer team netted the first goal of the game on Tuesday afternoon but saw the Smith College Pioneers answer back in quick succession. Western New England used a powerful second half as Danielle McCarthy scored her second goal of the season to give the Golden Bears a 2-1 win, snapping a five game losing streaks against the Pioneers.
Records:
- Western New England: 4-3 (0-1 CCC)
- Smith College: 3-2-1 (1-0 NEWMAC)
How it Happened:
Western New England's Allison Bruehwiler got the games started for the Golden Bears taking a shot on goal in the early goings, though the shot was stopped by goalkeeper Naomi Falkenberg to keep the Golden Bears off the scoreboard. WNE is looking for their first goal since September 12, when they put up two goals on Springfield College in another non-conference tilt. The Golden Bears would find their first goal of the game when Autumn Hathaway headed down a corner kick into the back of the goal to give the Golden Bears the early lead. Hathaway picks up her first goal of the season, after scoring three in the 2018-2019 season.
Smith College wouldn't let the Golden Bears lead stay for long as they collected a goal just 12 minutes after Western New England collected their first tally of the game. Off a throw in, the Pioneers saw Hannah Hutton send that ball sailing into the box, which was then chased down by Kelsey Cahill, who then chipped the ball up and over the diving Molly McLaughlin for the Golden Bears and into the net, evening the game at one all between the two squads.
The goal from Smith College would be their lone shot of the half, as the Golden Bears took control of first half play, out shooting the Pioneers 6-1. Both Western New England and Smith College would take one corner kick each. Naomi Falkenberg came away with two saves on three shots on goal in the first half.
First year Emma French would take the first shot on goal in the second half, building the momentum towards goal for the Golden Bears. French's shot on goal would lead to another shot on goal from Allison Bruehwiler, though both shots were turned aside by Falkenberg. Early in the 63rd minute, the Pioneers sought their best chance of the second 45 minutes of the game as Natalie Dionne stepped into the box and took a shot which was denied by Molly McLaughlin to keep Smith off the scoreboard. McLaughlin's save would spark the Golden Bears to pick up their second goal of the game.
The Golden Bears were awarded with a free kick in the 67th minute and used that to their advantage. After Samantha Vitka made a short pass to Bruehwiler, Bruehwiler sent the ball into the box that was initially blocked down by Falkenberg, but then sprang loose to the foot of Danielle McCarthy, who netted her second goal of the season, giving Western New England the 2-1 lead. One final save by McLaughlin in the 85th minute would hold onto the lead and win for the Golden Bears, as they would take the 2-1 win from Smith College. The Golden Bears had previously dropped all five matchups against Smith in their program's history.
Inside the Lines:
- Goals by Autumn Hathaway and Danielle McCarthy gave Western New England their first win all time against Smith College. The Golden Bears had previously been 0-5 all time against Smith.
- Molly McLaughlin was tested two times in the second half, coming up with two big saves for Western New England to preserve the win. McLaughlin improves to a record of 4-3 on the season. GK Naomi Falkenberg made six saves on eight shots on goal for Smith in the losing effort.
- Western New England took a season low two corner kicks in the game, with their previous low being four against Springfield College.
Up Next on the Schedule:
- Western New England will stay on the road and take on Nichols College in CCC play on Friday, September 24 at 4:00 pm.
- Smith College will take on NEWMAC opponent Wheaton College (Mass.) in Norton, Mass. on Saturday. September 25 at 12:00 pm.
