Biddeford, Maine (October 15, 2022) - The Western New England Golden Bears traveled north to take on CCC-foes, University of New England. WNE entered the game looking for their fourth straight win and shutout. UNE entered looking to get a win after back-to-back ties against CCC opponents.

Records:

• Western New England: 9-4-1 (4-1-1)
• University of New England: 7-4-3 (2-1-3)

How it Happened:

As UNE kicked the ball backward, the game began. The ball worked from side to side for the opening ten minutes of play. Both teams tried to start the offense, but the defenses stood strong. Samantha Vitka took the game's opening shot in the 15th minute, but it sailed wide of the net. This was quickly followed by more back-and-forth between the teams. Not much offense was generated until WNE GK Molly McLaughlin took down a UNE player inside the penalty box to give UNE a penalty kick. Marie Hoehner stepped up to take the penalty kick for UNE. Hoehner placed the ball down, backed away, and then jogged up and fired a shot right past McLaughlin and into the back of the net. The score was now 1-0 in the 19th minute of play. However, it did not take WNE long to answer. In the 22nd minute, WNE was awarded a free kick on the right side of the field. Malina LaCapra was the Golden Bear who took the free kick. LaCapra jogged up and sent a high-arching shot across the face of the net, sailed right over Gillingham, and into the upper left corner of the net to tie the game at one apiece. 

UNE tried to bounce back immediately as they pushed toward the net. Karley Belisle took a shot in the 25th minute, but it missed high of the net. UNE's Tori Keyes also had an opportunity in the 27th minute, but McLaughlin was there for the stop. In the 30th minute, WNE had another opportunity on net, but UNE's Sydney Gillingham cleanly handled Isabella Montalvo's low shot toward the center of the net. Three shots were taken between the 31st and 40th minutes. Two by UNE and one by WNE. None of them worried the goalkeepers very much. WNE had the last shot to end the half in the 44th minute, but Jordan Paré's shot missed to the right of the net. The first half ended with the teams tied at 1-1. 

The stat line in the first half was pretty even. Both teams had five shots, two of which were on the net. Both keepers had a save each. WNE had one more foul called on them than UNE. However, WNE dominated the corner kicks. They attempted five, and UNE attempted none. Both goals were from fouls occurring, so the second half was going to be a good one.

The second half started like the second half ended. The ball went from team to team, with neither team able to generate a strong offensive attack. That was until Montalvo had an opportunity in front of the net. Montalvo got a boot on the ball, but again, it was right to Gillingham for the save. UNE responded in the 52nd minute with a shot toward the center of net, but WNE's defenders kept it out of the back of the net. UNE kept the pressure on the Golden Bears with another shot a couple of minutes later. The energy was starting to shift back to UNE. However, WNE did not shy away from the competition. They kept pushing forward and earned another corner kick. UNE pushed back, though, with the 59th minute that missed high. WNE came back strong, and in the 60th minute, Montalvo received a through ball that she one-touched around a defender and sent to Samantha Vitka on the left side of the field. Vitka kept the ball moving downfield and then sent a low cross to Allison Bruehwiler, who sent a one-touch shot right past Gillingham and into the back of the right side of the net. The Golden Bears now lead 2-1. 

WNE kept the pressure on with shots from Munns and Hathaway. There was a feeling that WNE would get a third goal and put the game out of reach for UNE. LaCapra had another free kick shot in the 67th minute, but Gillingham read this shot correctly and made a save. The ball went from side to side after that, but WNE held on to the ball for much of the time. Then, in the 78th minute, WNE would get that third goal they were looking for. LaCapra was awarded a free kick around midfield. She sent a booming kick toward a gaggle of players swarming in UNE's penalty box. The ball found Gabby Sansone cutting towards net. Sansone put a boot on the ball as it arrived to her, and it slipped through Gillingham's gloves and into the back of the net on the right side. WNE now led by two goals with less than 12 minutes to play. That would be the game's last shot for either side, and the game would end with WNE as the victors, 3-1.

The final stat line showed WNE ahead in almost every category. WNE led shots 11-8, shots on goal 6-3, and corner kicks 7-2. UNE had more fouls called against them than WNE did, with UNE getting 11 to WNE's eight. Gillingham also had one more Save than McLaughlin, but McLaughlin's save percentage was better. The win saw WNE stay ahead of UNE in the CCC standings and make a push at the first-place spot. 

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears went on the road to take on UNE in a battle for the second-place spot in the CCC.
• UNE scored the opening goal on a Marie Hoehner penalty kick goal. 
• Malina LaCapra answered back in the 22nd minute with a long free-kick goal that arched over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. That evened the score at 1.
• WNE took the lead in the 60th minute with superb passing. Isabella Montalvo found Samantha Vitka, who, in return, found Allison Bruehwiler, who tapped the ball past the goalkeeper to put WNE's lead at 2-1. 
• The 78th minute saw WNE double their lead when LaCapra found Gabby Sansone streaking toward the net. Sansone got a foot on the ball and squeaked it past the goalie to put WNE up 3-1.
• Molly McLaughlin saved two out of three shots on net and helped the Golden Bears beat UNE 3-1.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will stay on the road as they travel to Suffolk on Wednesday, October 19, at 7:00 pm.
• UNE will head to Wentworth for their next game on Wednesday, October 19, at 4:00 pm.