Springfield, Mass. (September 4, 2024) – WNE traveled across town for their matchup with the Springfield College Pride. The Golden Bears were coming off a hard-fought draw on Saturday against Western Connecticut State University. Springfield College would get the opening goal late in the first half. However, two goals from Isabella Montalvo in less than eight minutes gave the Golden Bears a 2-1 lead. The Pride would get one more goal ten minutes later to capture the draw against the Golden Bears.

Records:

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

How it Happened:

Taryn Ryan and Molly McLaughlin started the game in net for Springfield College and WNE, respectively. The teams got a feel for the game in the early minutes of the game. Then, Meredith Healy had a shot blocked in the 7th minute. That was answered in the 12th minute by Liza Pinette sending a shot wide of Ryan in goal. Abby Free went for goal also. However, that shot went wide, too. Springfield had a corner kick, a shot go high, and another corner kick in the following minutes. The 23rd minute saw Pinette send a shot on goal. The shot made Ryan save it. The score stayed tied 0-0. The 25th minute saw the Pride answer with a shot from Mia Salmon that McLaughlin saved. The ball would fall to Kaitlyn Suller, who sent a shot over the goal. The teams then traded the ball back and forth for a little while before a run by the Golden Bears into the attacking half of the pitch led to Lindsay Reidy testing the goalkeeper with a shot. Taryn Ryan was equal to the task, and the score stayed tied at zero. After that, the next seven minutes saw the Pride have three shots in a row. However, none of the shots were on target. Springfield was increasing their momentum, and eventually, they had a corner kick in the 42nd minute. Mirabel Brunnel took the corner kick and found Ryan Prystowski. Prystowski would receive the long pass and send the ball into the back of the net to give Springfield the 1-0 lead at the half. After a corner kick from Springfield College, the first half stats finished with Springfield leading in shots 8-4, saves 2-1, corner kicks 4-0, and fouls 8-1.

The second half started with Mallory Forgatch entering the game as the goalkeeper for Springfield College. Healy started the second half like the first half, with a shot. However, it went wide. Neither team could register a major opportunity for a few minutes. However, Isabella Montalvo delivered a goal to tie the game at 1-1 for WNE. Lindsay Reidy found Montalvo for the goal in the 51st minute. Jen Walker answered quickly with a shot that Molly McLaughlin saved. Then, after a corner kick for the Pride, the Golden Bears ran down to their offensive side of the pitch, and Lindsay Reidy sent a shot that Forgatch had to save. Kaitlyn Suller then had a shot blocked by the Golden Bears. That led to the Golden Bears switching the field and Isabella Montalvo sending a shot at goal, which went past the goalkeeper and crashed into the netting. The Golden Bears had made the comeback and were up 2-1 in the 58th minute. The teams then traded the ball back and forth, with both of them looking to find some open space to start an attack. It was Springfield College who were able to find that open space. WNE would commit a foul in the penalty box to award Springfield with a penalty kick. Jen Walker took the penalty kick and scored. The score was tied 2-2 in the 68th minute.

The Golden Bears tried to regain the lead with two shots that went over the net. Then, Kaitlyn Suller tested McLaughlin, and McLaughlin made the save. Neither team could find a major opportunity for almost seven minutes. Gabby Scott ended that for Springfield College with a shot that McLaughlin saved. The Golden Bears needed to get more pressure on the Springfield College defense and goalkeeper. Emma French tried to do that with a shot that Forgatch saved in the 81st minute. Abby Free also had a shot in the 87th minute, but it went over the goal. The final opportunity was from Springfield's Peyton Knott. However, it also went over the goal, and the teams finished the game tied at 2-2. The final stats showed the Pride leading in shots 15-11, corner kicks 5-0, and fouls 17-10. Both teams had six shots on goal and four saves.

After the game, the head coach of the WNE women's soccer team, Kristin Hensinger, was asked a couple of questions. Coach Hensinger was first asked what Hensinger's thoughts were on how the game played out. "Playing against Springfield is always a battle for us. In the first half, we had some chances but didn't take advantage of them; unfortunately for us, they did a better job of finishing in the first (half)," Hensinger replied. Then, Coach Hensinger was asked what was said at halftime that led to the quick turnaround after being down 1-0 going into the half. "I don't think the quick turnaround was due to anything that was said at halftime. Even though we were down a goal, we came out of halftime feeling confident in our level of play and our ability to get back into the game. Bella is always hustling, and she creates opportunities for others. I'm just happy that today's hard work created opportunities for herself, and she finished them," Hensinger answered.

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears took on the Springfield College Pride at Springfield College on Wednesday night.
• Springfield College's Ryan Prystowski scored the game's first goal in the 43rd minute to give them the 1-0 lead at halftime. Mirabel Brunell was credited with the assist.
• Isabella Montalvo tied the game at one, 5:10 into the second half. Lindsay Reidy assisted the goal.
• Isabella Montalvo netted a second goal in the 58th minute of the game to give the Golden Bears the 2-1 lead. The goal was unassisted.
• Jen Walker tied up the game at 2-2 in the 68th minute with an unassisted goal.
• Taryn Ryan played forty-five minutes in goal for Springfield College, made two saves, and did not allow a goal. Mallory Forgatch played forty-five minutes in goal, made two saves, and let up two goals.
• Molly McLaughlin made four saves and gave up two goals.
• The Golden Bears and the Pride finished the game tied 2-2.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears travel to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, for their next game against Fitchburg State University on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 11:00 AM.
• The Pride will host Williams College for their next game on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 1:00 PM.