SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 25, 2025) – The men's soccer program hosted Suffolk University on Senior Day in a battle of 6-2 CNE teams. The first half saw WNE dominate play and take a 1-0 lead into halftime on a Shay O'Neill free-kick goal. Suffolk responded with a dominant second half, scoring a goal of their own to end the game with WNE in a 1-1 draw.

Records:

• Western New England: 8-7-2 (6-2-1)
• Suffolk University: 11-3-3 (6-2-1)

How it Happened:

First Half

• Nathan Harlow and Braylon Casinghino got the starts in goal for WNE and Suffolk.
• The Golden Bears controlled the first half.
• From the first whistle, WNE was on their toes. WNE had seven shots in the first ten minutes. Harlow had to make three saves in that time and did.
• Neither team would really have a major chance for a while after that, but WNE was on the doorstep of scoring a few.
• WNE would drum up a few scoring chances with a couple of shots, but nothing would get past Harlow.
• The 36th minute saw WNE's Lucas Ritson have a chance saved by Harlow.
• Then, later that minute, a foul was called on the end of the semi-circle in front of the Suffolk penalty area.
• Shay O'Neill would step up and fire a shot at the Suffolk wall. The ball deflected off the wall and into the back of the net. WNE led 1-0 in the 37th minute.
• WNE had one last goal-scoring chance in the 44th minute, but after the shot went wide, the contest reached halftime with WNE leading 1-0.
• The first half stats were as follows: WNE led in shots 12-0 and shots on goal 5-0. Suffolk had more corners, 1-0, and saves, 4-0. Both teams had nine fouls.

Second Half:

• WNE started the second half strong with a shot on goal saved by Harlow and then a shot blocked.
• After WNE had the first attack of the second half, Suffolk settled in and started to play their game.
• Suffolk accumulated shot after shot and looked for their first goal of the contest.
• After a few yellow cards were shown to both teams, Suffolk kept the pressure going at WNE.
• The 71st minute saw Braylon Casinghino have to make his first save of the afternoon. It was a high-flying save in the top-left corner of the goal.
• Then, in the 77th minute, Francisco Valck was found in front of the goal by Maxi Fadel. Valck swung a foot at the ball and found the goal. The score was tied 1-1.
• Suffolk kept the pressure on with a few more shots and an attempt that made Casinghino make another save.
• WNE tried to get some offense started with a couple of shots that did not have to be saved.
• Then, as it looked like the game had no more major chances, Lucas Ritson found himself with a chance to tap the ball past the goalie on the right side of the goal.
• Ritson tapped the ball in the 88th minute, and it looped past the goalie, but a defender was in the way to clear the ball and keep the score stuck at 1-1.
• WNE and Suffolk battled to a 1-1 draw.

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears and Rams ended the contest in a 1-1 draw.
• Shay O'Neill scored in the 37th minute off a free kick to give WNE a 1-0 lead.
• Francisco Valck scored off a Maxi Fadel assist in the 77th minute to tie the game at 1-1.
• The final stats showed WNE earning more shots, 20-10, and more shots on goal, 7-3.
• Suffolk had more saves, 6-2, and corner kick chances, 2-1.
• Both teams ended the contest with seventeen fouls.

Coach's Corner:

Head coach Devin O'Neill spoke about the two different halves of soccer after the draw. "First half was outstanding. I thought the effort and our pressure was really troublesome for them. We won the ball in good spots, and that triggered some decent counterattacks. We were able to sustain a lot of pressure in their end. I gotta give full credit to Bill Maddock and their staff. A very good adjustment at halftime, which presented a problem, and they were able to get out of their end more successfully, which pinned us in deeper. That led to more restarts, secondary opportunities, and it's always a little harder to build the attack from deep than when you are picking it up in the middle third. You can run, and things are easier and everything's going your way… A very good second half by (Suffolk). Credit to our guys too, that giving up the goal, we didn't cave, and we were able to see the game out. While we always want three points, we will take the point today and see what we can do on Tuesday," O'Neill stated.

Shay O'Neill was asked about the goal and what was seen before the free-kick was taken. "Originally, I was looking at how they were setting up the wall, seeing where they were lined up, and more importantly, I was seeing where the keeper was. Depending on where he is, you can go either way of the wall. He was kind of right-center, so I was gonna try to go over (the wall). In those moments, I just try to calm down, take a breath, and just make the best contact possible. We do those in practice, so just trusted practice, and what I do there, and fortunately found the back of the net. It was good, especially on senior day, a game like this, it was a good feeling," O'Neill mentioned. When asked about the initial feeling of the ball going in the goal and then the feeling when the group of guys swarms around him to congratulate him, O'Neill said, "I'll say relief, honestly. Senior day is a huge game in and of itself. Especially who we are playing against. We are head-and-head with them for who is getting a bye for playoffs, so it was an incredible feeling to score for my team and make an impact like that. Then, I love it. We go to the corner and celebrate with the guys. The best feeling ever. You feel like you are on top of the world. It's the best."

Jayden Montagna was asked about the feeling of being on the field for senior day after having to miss time after the injury versus Endicott College. "To be honest, when I went down in that game a week ago, I was nervous that there could be a chance that that could be the end (of his Golden Bear soccer career) for me, with it being a serious injury. However, at the end of the day, I pushed hard to get back out here, and this is the best place to play in the world, in my opinion. I have loved this place ever since my first day as a freshman. Right as we started the game, it made me think of all the good memories that I have had on this field, including winning a championship. That brought all the energy we needed," Montagna answered.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE is on the road for their final regular-season game on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 4:00 PM in Providence, Rhode Island. They will take on Johnson and Wales University.