WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (October 22, 2025) – Ben Riley netted two second-half goals for the Western New England men's soccer team, as the Golden Bears clawed their way past the Bantams of Trinity College (Conn.) on Wednesday night in the teams' final non-conference game of the regular season. 

Records:

• Western New England: 8-7-1
• Trinity College (Conn.): 3-7-3

How it Happened:

First Half:

• WNE needed just four minutes to open the scoring in the half as Tyler Lewis found the back of the net for the ninth time this season and third straight game, giving WNE an early 1-0 lead. Jake Thibodeau picked up his second assist of the season on the Lewis goal, handing WNE the quick lead. 
• Trinity found its legs shortly after the Lewis goal, but did not test Braylon Casinghino, who played the first 30 minutes between the pipes for the blue and gold, along with most of the Golden Bears' starters. Just a minute after WNE took off its starting lineup from the pitch, Trinity found the back of the net to level the game at one when Shane Ivey beat Anthony Shea, who made his WNE debut on Wednesday night. Shea made one save in the opening half as the teams headed to the locker rooms tied at one. 
• Trinity outshot the Golden Bears 4-2 in the first 45 minutes and took the only three corner kicks. 

Second Half:

• The Bantams had the first shot on goal in the second half, testing Shea, but the sophomore goalkeeper stayed strong for the Golden Bears. The Golden Bears broke through again in the 64^th minute as Ben Riley regained the lead with an unassisted mark, giving the blue and gold a 2-1 lead. 
• WNE had the better of the chances following the goal from Riley and were rewarded with their third goal of the game and second of the half from the junior forward as Nick Edward found Ben Riley, who slotted home his ninth goal of the season, giving the Golden Bears a 3-1 lead. The two-goal lead for Western New England lasted just four minutes as Trinity began to find their stride on offense again and found the back of the net when Dillon Reilly picked up a goal for the Bantams, getting Trinity within one, 3-2. 
• The Bantams pressed Western New England for the final ten minutes of the game, looking to find the equalizer. Anthony Shea made a pair of saves, including one in the 89th minute to preserve the victory for the Golden Bears, who came away with a 3-2 victory, winning their fifth straight game on the season. 

Inside the Lines:

• Ben Riley netted two second-half goals to give WNE a big non-conference win over NESCAC opponent Trinity College (Conn.) Riley now shares the team lead in goals with teammate Tyler Lewis, each scoring nine this season. 
• Western New England had just three shots on goal in the game, all finding twine. Trinity's Nate Dyott did not make any saves on three shots faced. 
• Anthony Shea made four saves on six shots faced between the pipes in his Western New England debut. 
• This is the second straight season the Golden Bears have picked up a victory over Trinity. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• An important Conference of New England game takes place on Saturday, October 25, as the Rams of Suffolk University visit the Golden Bears with a start time slated for 2:30 PM, following senior day ceremonies.