SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 13, 2025) – The women's soccer team hosted UNE on Saturday as they opened conference play. The crowd was alive after Liza Pinette opened the scoring with a goal. However, the Nor'Easters answered with a goal immediately after and then scored a goal with twenty seconds left in the first half to hold a 2-1 lead at halftime. The craziness of the first half would not roll over into the second, and the game would end with the same 2-1 score. UNE picked up their first conference win of the season.

Records:

• Western New England: 1-3-1 (0-1-0)
• University of New England: 5-1-0 (0-1-0)

How it Happened:

First Half:

• The first half got underway with Ainsley Napolitano and Haley Coombs in goal for WNE and UNE, respectively.
• The Nor'Easters controlled the beginning of the game possession-wise and opportunity-wise.
• UNE had the first shot on goal. Napolitano was able to make the save. UNE had another shot after that blocked.
• WNE's first major chance resulted in the contest's opening goal. Liza Pinette received a through ball and took the ball into the opposing 18-yard box and sent an outside-of-the-foot shot into the bottom-right corner of the goal. WNE led 1-0.
• It took less than two minutes for a UNE response. Jill Hodgson found Lindsey Butler for the game-tying goal. The score was 1-1.
• UNE kept the pressure on with the next shot and the next three corner kicks.
• WNE fought back with a shot on goal from Sophia Scyocurka, which Coombs saved.
• After the teams traded the ball back and forth for a while, UNE started to gain momentum and could feel a goal on its way.
• It was scored with twenty seconds left in the opening half. Lily Carreiro sent a cross to Emily Talbot, who had a touch pass to Mara Walton. Walton sent a hard shot past the goalkeeper and gave UNE a 2-1 lead at half.
• First half stats saw UNE leading shots 9-2, corner kicks 4-0, and shots on goal 3-2. WNE led in fouls 3-2, and both teams had one save.

Second Half:

• The second half began with WNE starting quickly, as a hard shot on goal led to a corner chance.
• The teams exchanged opportunities, but the majority of the possession stayed with UNE.
• UNE had a few more major chances, but the WNE defense and Ainsley Napolitano stood strong to not let up another goal.
• WNE would have more possession towards the end of the game, but could not test Coombs in goal, and UNE held on for their first conference win, 2-1.

Inside the Lines:

• UNE defeated WNE 2-1 in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Saturday.
• Liza Pinette opened the scoring with an unassisted goal in the 17th minute.
• Lindsey Butler equalized the game in the 19th minute after a Jill Hudgson assist.
• Marah Walton scored the eventual game-winning goal off an assist from Emily Talbot and Jill Hudgson in the 45th minute.
• The final stats saw UNE leading in shots 12-4, shots on goal 4-3, and corner kicks. WNE led in fouls 7-5, and the teams both had two saves.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will gear up for their next game on the road on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, as they travel to Northampton, Massachusetts, to play Smith College at 4:00 PM.