Bristol, R.I. (October 6, 2023) - The Golden Bears traveled to Bristol, R.I. for their fourth CCC conference game, looking to stay undefeated in conference play. They took on the Hawks of Roger Williams University, who were 1-0-1 leading into this matchup. Keara Conroy notched the Golden Bears' first goal in the first half. Jordan Paré had the second and final goal for the Golden Bears. The Golden Bears would hold on to the two-goal lead for the rest of the game and win 2-0.

Records:

• Western New England: 7-2-2 (4-0-0)
• Roger Williams University: 5-6-3 (1-1-1)

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears headed to Bristol for a rematch of one of the 2022 CCC semifinal games. The teams ran on the field, and with Coco Marrelli in net for the Hawks and Molly McLaughlin in net for the Golden Bears, the game got started. The Golden Bears were on the attack early. Jordan Paré had a shot that missed wide. That was countered by Rachel Oster, who sent a shot high of McLaughlin in net. Roger Williams was taking control of the ball and keeping it in the attacking end of the field for themselves. That led to a shot in the 7th minute that Mya D'Antonio sent at McLaughlin. It was saved by the WNE keeper, and the score stayed knotted at zero. There was a lot of back and forth between the teams for the next ten minutes. Both teams had possession, but nothing came of it. That was until a shot in the 17th minute from Oster, but it was high and wide of the net. The Golden Bears kept trying to clear the ball, but the Hawks kept the pressure on. Sofie Morris sent a shot toward the goal in the 22nd minute. However, McLaughlin made the save and denied the Hawks the opening goal. The Golden Bears got back in the swing of things with a shot in the 26th minute. Liza Pinette sent a shot to the middle of the net.

However, Marrelli made a save on the ball. Morris went back at the net in the 29th minute. Morris sent a shot at McLaughlin in net. McLaughlin made another save, and the game was still tied at zero goals per side. Pinette answered that with another shot, and Marrelli was equal to the task again by making the save. The game was getting intense, with both teams making moves towards the net. Both teams had opportunities, and Roger Williams' Grace Kelly joined in on the action in the 34th minute with a shot that McLaughlin saved in the middle of the net. After a break in the action, play resumed, and in the 34th minute, Lindsay Reidy sent a shot in towards the outside left side of the net. The ball bounced to a charging Keara Conroy, who netted the game's first goal and the first goal of Conroy's WNE career. The Golden Bears had the lead, 1-0. The Golden Bears looked fired up from the goal. They started making charges down the field, and Reidy also sent a shot at the top left corner of the net that Marrelli had to make a big save on. Roger Williams did not shy away. Sarah Baptista sent a shot at McLaughlin that was saved. Grace Kelly did the same, but McLaughlin made another save and kept the Golden Bears in the lead going into halftime. At the half, the Golden Bears trailed the Hawks in shots (5-8), shots on goal (4-6), and corners (1-3). The Golden Bears did have more fouls by a count of eight to five. The Golden Bears had the lead and looked to extend the lead in the second half.

The second half started, and within three minutes of the game resuming, the Hawks had another shot on goal. Jen Donohue sent a shot at the middle of the net, and it was saved by McLaughlin. D'Antonio went back at the net in the 50th minute. It was aimed at the top right corner of the net. McLaughlin made the save again. That was followed by WNE's Ashley Collins testing Marrelli. Marrelli made the save and kept the deficit at one. Julia Robbins answered that with a shot in the 54th minute. McLaughlin made another save. It looked as though Roger Williams was gaining a lot of momentum.

However, the Golden Bears flipped the script quickly. In the 57th minute, Jordan Paré sent a ball into the box that went past the keeper and into the back of the net. The Golden Bears were ahead by two goals now. Both teams went back and forth, gaining possession of the ball and sending it toward the opposing team's defense and keeper. However, there was nothing major until the 66th minute when Grace Kelly sent another shot at McLaughlin, who made another save. McLaughlin was not letting anything get by. Both teams' defenses were tested, especially towards the end of the game, but were turning the opposing offense away each time. It got to the 77th minute before another shot on goal. Brynn Murphy got the shot away for the Golden Bears. Marrelli made the save in the right corner of the net. Pinette followed that up in the 80th minute with a shot that missed high of the net. The Hawks were not giving up.

Shots by Robbins and Baptista tested McLaughlin in the 81st and 82nd minutes, respectively. McLaughlin made both saves. Pinette responded with a shot that Marrelli had to contest and would save. That would be the final shot attempt of the game, and the Golden Bears would finish the game with the scoreboard showing a 2-0 win. The Hawks outshot the Golden Bears 14-10 in total. Twelve of those shots were on goal for the Hawks. Eight of the shots were on goal for the Golden Bears. There were four corner kicks given to the Hawks. There were three given to the Golden Bears. The Golden Bears had 12 fouls, and the Hawks had nine. The Golden Bears climbed to 4-0 in conference play with the win.

Inside the Lines:

• The Hawks hosted the Golden Bears in a Friday night CCC showdown.
• Keara Conroy scored the opening goal after a deflection. That was Conroy's first WNE career goal. It put the Golden Bears up 1-0 in the 34th minute.
• Paré scored the second goal in the 57th minute. It gave the Golden Bears a 2-0 lead.
• Coco Marrelli made six saves on the night.
• Molly McLaughlin made 12 saves during the game.
• The Golden Bears beat the Hawks 2-0.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will return home for their next game against Suffolk University. The Golden Bears will host the Rams on Wednesday, October 11, at 3:30 PM. 
• Roger Williams will head to Dudley, Massachusetts, for a showdown with the Bison of Nichols College. That game will take place on Wednesday, October 11, at 3:00 PM.