KEENE, N.H. (September 4,2021) - In a game of pure possession dominated by the visitors, the Western New England Golden Bears women's soccer team seized opportunity at their first win of the season, picking up the road victory against the Keene State Owls. Kristin Decost and Allyson Hill picked up goals for WNE in the 3-1 win.

Records:

• Western New England: 1-1
• Keene State: 0-1

How it Happened:
Western New England started off quickly, as the Golden Bears dominated the time of possession for much of the 90 minutes of play. The Golden Bears back line of defense was in full control of the game, allowing zero first half shots to the home team. WNE would get their first goal of the season, after being shut out in their season opener against Rowan University, just 16 minutes into the contest. After Western New England was awarded with a corner kick, Autumn Hathaway would take a right foot cross into the box the deflected off the senior captain of the Golden Bears Kristin Decost and into the back of the net. WNE would take the early 1-0 advantage. 

Soon after the Decost goal, WNE would stay on the attack and collect their second goal of the game. WNE was awarded with another corner kick and took advantage again. The Golden Bears were awarded with seven corner kicks in their home opener but were unable to find twine. On their second instance in this game, the Golden Bears struck as a right foot strike from Danielle McCarthy's corner kick fell into the box and bounced around before finding the foot of Allyson Hill, who potted the goal into the lower left corner, past the dive of Owls GK Abbie Terrinca, giving WNE the 2-0 lead. At the half, it was all Golden Bears, outshooting Keene State 7-0, and leading 6-1 in corner kicks. For KSC, GK Abbie Terrinca came away with two saves on four shots on goal by the Golden Bears.

The second half grass field swayed on the side of the visitors again, as WNE continued to keep the pressure on Keene State. Similar to the first two goals of the contest, Western New England would capitalize on yet another corner kick to grab their third goal of the game. A left foot boot into the box from Autumn Hathaway saw multiple Owl defenders crash towards the ball. After the ball was still loose inside the box, senior Mackenzie Holy turned around and had the ball deflect off GK Abbie Terrinca and into the goal, giving WNE the 3-0 lead. For Holy, she picks up her first career collegaite goal. 

Keene State would show some resilience late in the early afternoon contest, as they were able to strike for a goal shortly after the third goal of the game for WNE. A cross the field pass from Rachel Souza found the foot of Kayleigh Marshall with just ten minutes to play to give the Owls their first goal of the season. Marshall picks up her fourth career goal in an Owls uniform. The goal from Marshall would be the final shot of the game for Keene State as WNE would pick up the pressure in the final ten minutes of the game, not allowing KSC to get back in the contest. Western New England would pick up their third straight victory over Keene State, after previously losing the last 14 matchups. 

Inside the Lines: 

• Western New England out shot Keene State 7-0 in the first 45 minutes of the contest, though KSC put more pressure up on the Golden Bears in the second half, out shooting them 5-2. In total, the Golden Bears took the 9-5 edge in shots. 
• The Golden Bears took six corner kicks in each half, mounting a 12-2 advantage over Keene. The Owls were only able to muster one in each half. 
• GK Molly McLaughlin played the full 90 minutes for WNE, registering her first win of the season. McLaughlin stopped all but one shot on goal from Keene, marking a three save win. On the other side of the net, Abbie Terrinca faced six shots, making three saves for Keene. 
• Allyson Hill credited her third career goal while pinning the WNE logo, while teammate Kristin Decost netted her sixth career goal on the afternoon. 

Next on the Schedule: 

• Western New England will have a quick turnaround, as they now get set to play their second home game of the season on Sunday, September 5 at 1:00 pm when they host Western Connecticut State University. 
• Keene State will hit the road for the first time in the 2021 campaign as they will take on Wesleyan (Conn.) for the first time in their program's history. Kickoff is set for 4:00 pm from Jackson Field.