KEENE, N.H. (March 8, 2025) –  The Western New England women's lacrosse team outscored the Owls of Keene State College 3-0 in the fourth quarter but it would not be enough to mount the full comeback as the Golden Bears would fall just short of their first win of the season, dropping an 11-9 decison. 

Records:

• Western New England: 0-3
• Keene State College: 3-1

How it Happened:

Keene State won the opening draw control of the game, but the ball would quickly be turned over, caused by Mia Celentano, giving the ball over to the Golden Bears. Both teams would start the game with a turnover, settling into the game early. Mariella Biceglia would pick up a ground ball and move Western New England forward to the offensive zone where WNE would come up with the first goal of the game, as Celentano picked up an unassisted mark, her fourth of the season, giving the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead. 32 seconds later, Keene State would score, as Tess Brown fired a shot past Emily Picolla, evening the score at one. The Owls scored a goal on their next offensive possession to take their first lead of the game as Chase Gengras scored her fourth of the season, giving KSC a 2-1 lead. The Golden Bears had the best scoring chance next, as Megan Spedaliere would drive to the net and take a shot that would be saved by Mabelle Bessette. The Owls began building their lead following the save from Bessette, coming up with their third goal of the game as Lola Varricchione found the back of the net, giving Keene State a 3-1 lead. After KSC took a three-goal lead, Western New England would record the next two goals as Spedaliere came up with her first tally of the season on an assist by Celentano while Celentano would score right before the opening quarter would end, getting the Golden Bears back within one at the end of one, trailing 4-3. Keene State took seven shots to Western New England's five in the frame. Mia Celentano scored twice, had an assist, and caused two turnovers for the Golden Bears. 

The Owls had the first goal of the second quarter, the second of the game from Tess Brown and 11^th overall this season to give Keene State a 5-3 lead. Western New England would be successful in the draw control, but a handful of turnovers would doom the visitors. With 8:49 left in the quarter, the Golden Bears would get a free position chance as Julia Weinert would come up with the chance, but another save from KSC's Bessette would keep the Golden Bears from scoring. The Owls would struggle to clear the ball in the second quarter, going 4/7 on clear attempts with six minutes left, but the Golden Bears would not be able to take advantage of the chances. Keene State scored two goals in 12 seconds to take a four goal lead, 7-3 with 5:04 left to play. Celentano would stop the Keene State scoring run with her third goal of the game, drawing the Golden Bears back within two, trailing 7-5. Both teams had a goal in the final minute of the quarter as Lina Eves scored for the Golden Bears, her first of the season. Western New England would trail by two after the second quarter, 8-6. Western New England took nine shots in the second, putting seven on goal. Emily Picolla made four saves through the first 30 minutes of action. 

Keene State picked up a quick two goals in the first three minutes of the third quarter as the Owls began to run away with the game. Riley Devine and Chase Gengras picked up goals in the quarter, giving KSC a 10-6 lead. Western New England had four shots through the midway point of the quarter, two of which came on goal and tested Mabelle Bessette, but the Golden Bears would not be able to find the back of the net. KSC was back on the scoreboard again for their 11^th goal of the game, breaking the game open. Western New England would not be able to score in the frame as the Owls took an 11-6 lead out of the third quarter. The Golden Bears did out shoot Keene State in the third quarter and had four shots on goal but would not be able to find twine. 

Western New England came up with exceptional defense to begin the fourth quarter, keeping the Owls from extending their lead. Marialla Biceglia would come up with a goal with 8:41 left in the fourth that would be WNE's first goal of the second half on an assist from Abbey Francis, putting up the seventh goal of the game up for WNE. Julia Weinert had a chance that KSC was forced to make a save on with 7:46 to play. Emily Picolla kept Keene State from scoring at 5:25 left in the fourth when Riley Devine took a shot on goal that would be denied by the WNE keeper. Mia Celentano was back on the scoreboard again for WNE's eighth goal of the game, getting the Golden Bears within three with 3:08 to play in the game. Keene State would win the ensuing draw control, but Abbey Francis would pick up a caused turnover, which led to another goal from Celentano, her eighth of the season and fifth overall in the game, bringing Western New England within two, 11-9. Picolla would make another save on KSC, but Western New England would turn the ball over late and would not be able to add any more goals, falling by a score of 11-9. WNE took six shots to Keene's four in the quarter, but it would not be enough. 

Inside the Lines:

• Mia Celentano led Western New England with five goals on the afternoon while also picking up one assist. The WNE senior also had nine shots, seven on goal, while causing six turnovers. 
• Abbey Francis had a goal and two assists for the blue and gold in the game, taking three shots on goal and causing three turnovers. 
• The Golden Bears outshot Keene State 26-22 in the game. KSC had 28 turnovers in the game while Western New England had one less with 27. 
• WNE went 12/20 in clears whole the Owls were 16/25 overall. 
• The Golden Bears had 25 ground balls while Keene State had just 12. Both Melissa Shanteler and Mia Celentano had seven each. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears head to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the Division III Lacrosse Clasico, playing Montclair State University and Mount Saint Mary College (N.Y.). The first game will be played on Tuesday, March 11 at 8:00 AM.