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Western New England University

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Women's Soccer 9.19
1
Western New Eng. WNE (2-1-2, 0-0-0)
2
Winner Smith SMI (2-1-1, 0-0-0)
Western New Eng. WNE
(2-1-2, 0-0-0)
1
Final
2
Smith SMI
(2-1-1, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western New Eng. WNE 0 1 1
Smith SMI 1 1 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Women's Soccer Takes First Loss of Season, Fall at Smith 2-1

Northampton, Mass. (September 19, 2023) - The Golden Bears headed to Northampton after a conference win this past Saturday against Curry. The team was 3-0-2 going into this matchup and was looking to continue their unbeaten streak at Smith. However, the Pioneers would score a goal in the first and second half, and win the game 2-1.

Records:

  • Western New England: 3-1-2 (1-0-0)
  • Smith College: 2-1-2 (0-0-1)

How it Happened:

The game started with Molly McLaughlin in net for the Golden Bears and Skylar Smith in net for the Pioneers. WNE kicked off, but the Pioneers would gain possession and get the first shot off. Mather Davidson sent a shot at McLaughlin in the third minute that was saved in the center of the net. The teams would then go back and forth with opportunities coming for both teams, but neither team could make anything happen for a while. Smith's Sara Buszkiewicz would send a shot high of the net in the 20th minute. Then, Kyla Warner would miss a shot that was high and right of the net a couple of minutes later. Melia Espinosa got a shot off toward net, as well. However, it missed to the right. The Pioneers were threatening but could not get a shot into the net yet. Una Keller would join in on the offense with a shot at McLaughlin. McLaughlin made the save and kept the score tied at zero. In the 35th minute, the Pioneers would put it all together for the game's opening goal. Keller crossed the ball in, and Karenna Kung sent the ball back to Warner, who sent the ball into the back of the net to give Smith the lead. The ball would go back and forth between the teams for the final ten minutes, and the half would end with the Pioneers leading 1-0. The shots for the first half favored the Pioneers, 6-0. McLaughlin made two saves. Smith did not have to make any. Each team had one foul, and only one corner was taken during the first half, and Smith took it. 

After the break, Smith kept the pressure on with a quick shot right at the beginning of the half. McLaughlin had to make the save to keep the game at 1-0. The game moved back and forth more before WNE took advantage of an opportunity at goal. Liza Pinette dribbled in and sent a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal. The score was now 1-1 in the 55th minute of play. With the score equalized, the Pioneers kicked off and got back to putting pressure on the Golden Bears. Sofia Romero sent a shot at McLaughlin, who saved the shot. The Golden Bears then had a shot in the 74th minute of play. Stephanie McKenna sent the ball into the center of the net, but Smith was there to make the save. That was followed up by Keller sending a shot to the lower left corner of the net. McLaughlin was able to get there and make the save. Both teams kept pushing for the potentially game-winning goal. It would come at the end of the 77th minute. Keller would get the ball from the Golden Bears, dribble, and fire a shot to the high right corner of the net. The Pioneers led 2-1 with about 12 minutes left in the game. Davidson would get the next shot off for the Pioneers. McLaughlin saved it. It was followed up by Davidson having another shot, but the shot went wide of the net. The 85th minute saw the Golden Bears go for goal. Julia Frappier sent a shot to Smith's right, and Smith made the save. The Golden Bears would have a few more opportunities from corner kicks. However, they could not get the equalizer, and the game ended with the Pioneers winning 2-1. The final team stats show Smith leading in shots 12-3, shots on goal 8-3, and fouls 3-2. The Golden Bears led in corner kicks 4-2 and saves, with McLaughlin having six saves and Smith having two saves. This loss was the first one for the Golden Bears this season.

Inside the Lines:

  • WNE traveled to Northampton for a game with Smith College.
  • Kyla Warner scored the first goal in the 35th minute for Smith. Una Keller was credited with the assist.
  • Liza Pinette equalized the score at 1-1 with a goal in the 55th minute. 
  • Una Keller scored the game-winning goal in the 77th minute for Smith to make the score 2-1.
  • Molly McLaughlin finished with six saves for the Golden Bears.
  • Skylar Smith finished with two saves for the Pioneers.

Up Next on the Schedule:

  • WNE will travel to Boston, Massachusetts, for their next conference game against Wentworth Institute of Technology. That game will be on Saturday, September 23, at 3:00 PM. 
  • Smith will travel to Cambridge, Massachusetts, for their next conference game on Saturday, September 23, at 4:00 PM. That game will be against MIT.

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