NEW LONDON, Conn. (October 1, 2024) – The Western New England men's soccer team was lifted by a goal on a rebound in the 31^st minute of the game by WNE junior Jayden Montagna, which proved to be the difference in the game, as the Golden Bears handed the Bears of the United States Coast Guard Academy (CGA) just their second loss of the season in a 1-0 victory under the Tuesday night lights.

Records:

• Western New England: 3-6-3
• US Coast Guard Academy: 7-2-1

How it Happened:

The Bears of Coast Guard Academy opened the game with the early chance to get on the board as Andres Villasana opened the game with the first shot, though it would be turned away by WNE sophomore goalkeeper Braylon Casinghino, who makes his 12^th straight start to open the season, the only Golden Bear to make all 12 starts this season. Western New England would wait until the 12^th minute of the game to get their first shot of the game when Tyler Lewis, who has the hot foot for the Golden Bears of late, ripped a shot that sailed to the top right part of the net, though CGA goalkeeper John Putnam would stand tall to keep WNE off the scoreboard. Just one shot would come from CGA in the 30^th minute before Western New England would come away with their best chance of the game at goal. Jude Sargent would commit a foul inside the box for CGA, resulting in a penalty kick for the Golden Bears. Jayden Montagna would take the 31^st minute penalty kick and would be denied by Putnam, who picked up his second save of the night, though a big rebound would float to Montagna, who would find the back of the net with the shot, giving the Golden Bears the 1-0 lead. The Golden Bears pick up their first ever goal against CGA in their second game overall, while Montagna picks up his second goal of the season and fifth career goal to give the Golden Bears the early edge. Casinghino would record a save just two minutes following the Western New England goal to keep the Bears off the scoreboard, while WNE picked up the last chance of the half when Lewis took a shot that sailed over the crossbar, seeing the Golden Bears lead 1-0 after the first 45 minutes of play. Both Casinghino and Putnam picked up two saves each in the frame while WNE outshot USCGA on goal, 3-2.

Western New England would open the second half with some offensive pressure, earning a corner kick just a minute in, though would not be able to find their second goal of the game. Andres Villasana got his second chance for CGA in the 48^th minute, taking a shot that would knock off the crossbar, keeping the Bears off the scoreboard. CGA would begin to control the offensive play of the game, picking up back-to-back corner kicks and another shot on goal, this time from Sargent, though Casinghino would stay up to the task. The WNE defense would frustrate the Bears heading into the 70^thminute, where Nicholas Yorgason would strike a shot right down the middle of the net, though the WNE sophomore goalkeeper would continue to make saves to keep WNE in front. Western New England would grab their second penalty kick of the game after Naveen Jayareem would commit a foul inside the box. The result for WNE would be the same: a miss; keep the scoring at 1-0. Western New England would get a crack at an unprecedented third penalty kick of the game and would not be able to convert as John Putnam would go three for three in penalty kick saves on the night, holding Western New England to just one rebound goal following the PK attempts. Despite the three misses for Western New England, the Golden Bears would stay strong defensively, looking to Matt Spruill, Jayden Montagna, Sam Riley, Jack Leland, and Ryan Sunshine to stay tall and keep the Bears off the scoreboard. The WNE defense would do just that, keeping the Bears to no goals on six shots on goal as WNE picked up the 1-0 victory.

Inside the Lines:

• Jayden Montagna's rebound goal following a penalty kick would be the difference in the game, seeing Western New England come away with a 1-0 victory.
• WNE was awarded three penalty kicks in the game, of which they converted none.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Braylon Casinghino picked up six saves in the win while recording his first shutout of the season.
• Coast Guard outshot Western New England 12-9, though WNE had the upper hand in shots on goal, 7-6.
• After winning their first seven of eight games this season, Coast Guard has dropped their last two.
• The Golden Bears come away with their first since a 5-2 win on September 6, going 0-5-2 in their last seven.

Coaches Corner:

• When asked about tonight's team effort victory, Head Coach Devin O'Neill commended his back line. "Very solid defensive effort throughout for the team." O'Neill continued with "It was great to get the win. Coast Guard is very good, and it was nice for the guys to get rewarded."
• Braylon Casinghino was asked after the game about what went right for Casinghino and the team after the first shutout victory of the season. "Personally, I think it was a team effort tonight, like it always is when we step onto the field for every game. Tonight, I feel that the team was in the right head space, and we were ready to play. First shutout for me and the defense tonight, which there will be many more to come. The defense in front of me tonight deserves huge credit as they were a huge role in tonight's win," Casinghino stated.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will look to continue to get rewarded on Saturday, October 5 at 12:00 PM, traveling to the University of New England for CNE play.