EAST BOSTON, Mass. (Oct. 10, 2026) – Andrew Macca's first career goal provided a first-half equalizer for the Western New England men's soccer team, but Suffolk University broke a 1-1 tie in the 64th minute and held off the Golden Bears for a 2-1 Conference of New England victory Saturday afternoon at East Boston Memorial Park. Western New England generated 15 shots to Suffolk's 11 and put four attempts on goal in the setback. 

Records:
Western New England: 3-5-4 (2-2-2 CNE)
Suffolk: 7-3-3 (3-1-1 CNE) 

How It Happened:

First Half

• Western New England generated the first scoring opportunity of the match in the sixth minute when Ryan Sunshine sent a shot high. Suffolk responded with its first attempt at 8:41 on a shot from Ford Lee.

• The Rams opened the scoring at the 9:59 mark. Mohamed Mehaya found the back of the net off a feed from Dylan Trachtenberg, giving Suffolk an early 1-0 advantage. 

• The Golden Bears responded almost immediately. Brady Suomala sent a shot wide left at 11:22 before Andrew Macca delivered the equalizer less than two minutes later. Macca scored his first career Golden Bear goal unassisted at 13:13 to pull WNE even at 1-1. 

• Suffolk nearly reclaimed the lead in the 18th minute. Lee's attempt at 17:06 struck the crossbar, keeping the match even. Lee generated another opportunity just over a minute later, but his shot went high.

• WNE continued to create opportunities as the half progressed. Suomala recorded his second shot of the match in the 23rd minute, sending the attempt wide right. The Golden Bears also earned corner kicks in the 25th and 33rd minutes as they looked to break the tie.

• Saif Shaker, who entered for Macca in the 31st minute, generated another WNE opportunity at 36:26, though his attempt went high.

• The Golden Bears produced the only shot on goal by either team over the final minutes of the half. Jake Thibodeau tested Suffolk goalkeeper Ian Caldwell at 41:26, but Caldwell made the save to preserve the 1-1 score.

• Suffolk generated one final opportunity when Luke Blawn sent a shot wide left at 42:36 before Nick Edward answered with WNE's final attempt of the half at 43:50, sending his shot high.

• Western New England and Suffolk went into halftime tied 1-1. The Golden Bears held a 7-6 advantage in first-half shots, while each side generated two corner kicks. Thibodeau recorded WNE's other shot on goal in addition to Macca's goal, with Caldwell making one save.

Second Half

• Western New England came out of halftime creating the early pressure. Owen Dieterle sent an attempt high at 47:08 before Tyler Lewis put a shot on goal at 48:58, forcing Suffolk goalkeeper Ian Caldwell into a save.

• The Golden Bears continued to push forward, earning corner kicks at 49:12 and 50:33. Ben Riley generated another quality opportunity at 53:49, putting his attempt on target before Caldwell made his second save of the half.

• WNE kept Suffolk without a second-half shot through the opening 18 minutes while continuing to create chances at the other end. Saif Shaker recorded an attempt at 62:31, and the Golden Bears earned another corner 11 seconds later. Ryan Sunshine followed with a shot high at 63:02.

• Despite Western New England's early pressure, Suffolk broke the 1-1 tie on its first shot of the second half. Mohamed Mehaya scored his second goal of the match at 63:58, finishing a feed from Dylan Rowe to give the Rams a 2-1 advantage. Mehaya accounted for both of Suffolk's shots on goal and both goals in the match.

• WNE immediately looked for a response. Riley sent a shot high at 67:30 before the Golden Bears earned their third corner kick of the half at 69:45.

• Suffolk began to generate more opportunities after taking the lead. Martin Avila recorded a shot at 70:02, Lucas Turletti sent an attempt high at 73:56 and Alexander Stone followed with another shot high at 80:44.

• The Golden Bears continued searching for the tying goal in the closing minutes. Nick Adzima sent a shot wide right at 83:03 before Shaker produced WNE's final attempt of the afternoon at 85:05, also missing to the right.

• Western New England was unable to generate another shot over the final five minutes as Suffolk held on for the 2-1 victory. The Golden Bears outshot the Rams 8-5 in the second half and held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks during the period. Caldwell made two second-half saves to keep WNE off the scoreboard after halftime.

• WNE finished the match with a 15-11 advantage in shots, a 4-2 edge in shots on goal and a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks, but Mehaya's two goals proved to be the difference in the 2-1 result.

Key Statistics:

• Western New England outshot Suffolk 15-11 overall and held a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal.
• The Golden Bears also generated five corner kicks to the Rams' three.
• Suffolk goalkeeper Caldwell made three saves, including two in the second half, while Brendan L'Italien played all 90 minutes in goal for WNE.
• Shaker led Western New England with three shots, while Riley, Sunshine and Suomala recorded two attempts apiece.
• Macca scored on his lone shot on goal, while Thibodeau, Riley and Lewis accounted for WNE's other three shots on target. 

Up Next:
Western New England continues its road stretch Wednesday, Oct. 14, when the Golden Bears travel to Worcester, Massachusetts, for a nonconference matchup with Clark University at 7 p.m.