UNION, N.J. (April 18, 2024) – The Western New England women's lacrosse team found the back of the net just five times in Thursday afternoon's loss at Kean University, falling to the Cougars by a final score of 9-5. Riley Franzo made nine saves for the Golden Bears, while Ally Ferraro and Mia Celentano collected two points each.

Records:

• Western New England: 5-10
• Kean University: 8-7

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears would come out on top first, scoring the game's first goal just five minutes into the contest after a clear attempt was successful for the Golden Bears, Mariella Biceglia would notch Western New England's opening tally on an assist from Ally Ferraro to give the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead. Abbey Francis would cause a turnover on Keen with 4:57 to play in the first quarter, while Sayde Kowalczyk would pick up the ground ball and get the Golden Bears moving up the field, where Emmy Burns would collect WNE's second goal of the game, giving the Golden Bears a 2-0 lead. Western New England's starting goalkeeper, Riley Franzo, made three saves on the Cougars in the first quarter, though Kean would come around with their first goal of the game with 42 seconds left in the frame when Shannon Palen scored her fourth goal of the season, cutting WNE's lead in half to end the frame. The Golden Bears would outshoot Kean 5-4 while both teams collected six ground balls. Kean was three for four on draw controls to open the game.

The Cougars would open the second quarter in a big way, scoring the first three goals, chewing off ten minutes of clock in the process. The Golden Bears took five shots on goal while Kean was making their run, though Nicole Peters was up to the task, shutting the door on Western New England's Ally Ferraro, Emmy Burns, and Ella Henry. After Kean would make the game 4-2 with 4:08 to play, WNE would respond with a goal when Mia Celentano was on the board for the first time this afternoon, getting WNE back within a goal, 4-3. Kean would score while a player up with 42 seconds remaining in the half as the Cougars would take a 5-3 lead at the break. Kean outshot WNE 12-8 in the quarter, while Western New England took six shots on goal, seeing five of those shots saved.

Just a minute into the third quarter, Kean would see Sam Murri score her 11^th goal of the season, which gave the Cougars their biggest lead of the game, 6-3. Western New England would have the next goal in the game as Ally Ferraro was on the board with her first of the game, scoring a free position shot goal for the Golden Bears, picking up Western New England's fourth goal of the afternoon, getting the Golden Bears back within two goals again. For the third straight quarter, the Cougars would make the Golden Bears pay with a late goal this time, coming from Kean's leading goal scorer, Kylie Giordano, who made the score 7-4 right at the end of the third quarter. Six of Western New England's nine shots were fired on goal in the frame, though Nicole Peters would make five saves for the Cougars to keep Western New England to just one goal.

Western New England would not be able to find that important first goal of the fourth quarter as Skyler Ray was on the board for Kean with 12 minutes to play in the fourth, pushing the Cougars lead to four goals. Kean would extend their lead to give with 6:30 to play when Shannon Palen scored for the second time on the afternoon, giving the Cougars a 9-4 lead. Mia Celentano would answer with a goal for Western New England just a minute later, though it would not be enough as Kean's Nicole Peters would make five saves on the Golden Bears in the fourth quarter to defeat Western New England by a final score of 9-5.

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears took 28 shots in Thursday's losing effort, placing 22 shots on goals. Kean's Nicole Peters made 17 stops for Kean, her second most this season.
• Offensively, Mia Celentano would score two goals to lead Western New England, while Ally Ferraro came around with a goal and an assist.
• The Golden Bears caused 11 turnovers on defense, led by Emmy Burns, who recorded four. Sayde Kowalczyk picked up three caused turnovers and two ground balls for the Golden Bears.
• WNE would be defeated in draw controls 10-7.
• Riley Franzo made nine saves for the Golden Bears while collecting seven ground balls, a season high.
• The nine goals from Kean are the fewest the Golden Bears have allowed while being defeated this season. The five-goal output is the second-lowest for WNE this season.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England returns home to Golden Bear Stadium on Saturday, April 20 at 1:00 PM to take on the University of New England for senior day.