Waltham, Mass. (September 1, 2023) - The Men's Soccer team opened their 2023 campaign across the state at Brandeis University. Going into his ninth year in charge of the Golden Bears, Coach Devin O'Neill hoped to start the year with a big road win. However, Brandeis would stand strong, and the game would finish in a 0-0 draw.

Records:

• Western New England: 0-0-1 (0-0-0)
• Brandeis University: 0-0-1 (0-0-0)

How it Happened:

The game got started with freshman goalkeeper Braylon Casinghino in net for the Golden Bears and Quintin Wrabley on the other side of the field in goal. Brandeis got the first shot off two minutes into the game. That was then counter in the 11th minute when Malik Serisser sent a shot toward the net. However, it would not worry Wrabley. Serisser would keep at it but to no avail. Brandeis thought they had a goal, but Freshman Dom Bugnacki was there to make the save and keep the ball out of the net. Brandeis would keep the pressure up and send five shots at the net in eight minutes. Only one would make Casinghino worry, but he made the save. After a little while, Shay O'Neill would counter the rapid-fire shots by Brandeis with a shot of his own, but it did not worry Wrabley and sailed above the net. Nico Beninda would put a shot on net in the 35th minute, but Casinghino was there again for the save. The half would then end with three shots from Brandeis, with one of the shots making Casinghino range to his left, the attacker's right, to make the save. After the first half of play, Brandeis had the Golden Bears beat on shots by a score of 11-4, with three on the net. WNE had five corners to Brandeis' four. Casinghino made two saves, and Wrabley made one. The score was tied 0-0 at the break.

As the teams trotted back out for half number two, they hoped their offenses could put the ball in the back of the net. Mike Milazzo would start it for the Golden Bears and put the ball on net, but Wrabley was there to make the save. Brandeis would get a shot on net right after, but another team save would keep the Judges off the scoresheet. Both teams would then trade shots again, with Brandeis' Gabriel Haithcock making Casinghino make the save to keep the score level. Jayden Montagna would take a shot at goal, but nothing came of it. The Golden Bears were gaining momentum, and it came in the form of a Montagna and Spruill combo of shots. Neither made the keeper sweat too much, but the Golden Bears had the offense working. Brandeis' Sancho Maroto Tobias would answer with a shot, but it missed to the right of the net. Christian Godinho went for net, too, but it did not worry Casinghino. Maroto Tobias had a big opportunity in the 85th minute with a shot on net. However, Casinghino made the massive save in the bottom left corner to keep the game even. Milazzo saw a similar chance in the 88th minute, but Wrabley would keep the ball out of the net, and the teams would settle for a 0-0 tie. The Judges had 17 shots compared to the 11 from the Golden Bears. WNE had a total of six saves, with four of them coming from Casinghino. Brandeis' goalkeeper, Wrabley, earned three saves. WNE finished with seven fouls to Brandeis' nine.

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears traveled east to take on the Judges of Brandeis University.
• There were no goals scored by either team.
• Braylon Casinghino recorded four saves, and the team made two more to push the team total to six.
• Quintin Wrabley made three saves for the Judges.
• The final score was a 0-0 tie.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will return to campus and welcome Clark University to town for its home opener. That game will be played on Sunday, September 3, at 2:00 PM.
• Brandeis will hit the road for an away matchup at Eastern Connecticut State University on Sunday, September 3, at 4:00 PM.