MILTON, Mass. (Oct. 24, 2026) — Liza Pinette recorded a hat trick, and Emma Forde and Jillian Sansone each scored their first career goals as Golden Bears as the Western New England University women's soccer team earned a commanding 5-0 victory over Curry College Saturday afternoon at Katz Field. The Golden Bears scored twice in the first half before adding three more goals after halftime, finishing with a 31-4 advantage in shots and limiting the Colonels to no shots on goal.

Records:

Western New England: 9-6-0 (5-4-0 CNE)
Curry: 2-12-3 (0-9-0 CNE)

How It Happened:

First Half:

• Western New England established offensive pressure early, putting two shots on goal in the opening six minutes and earning a pair of corner kicks. Curry goalkeeper Marie Cataldo kept the Colonels within reach with early saves, but the Golden Bears continued to create opportunities.

• The pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Pinette scored the opening goal at 11:36, finishing a play assisted by Ava Borecki to give Western New England a 1-0 lead.

• Pinette struck again at 15:53, doubling the advantage and putting the Golden Bears in control before the midway point of the half.

• Western New England continued to generate chances, with Sophia Scyocurka and Marissa Dipronio testing Cataldo. The Curry goalkeeper made several saves to prevent the margin from growing further before halftime.

• The Golden Bears carried a 2-0 lead into the break after outshooting Curry 13-1 in the opening 45 minutes and earning three corner kicks to the Colonels' one.

Second Half:

• Pinette completed her hat trick just 3:09 into the second half, scoring at 48:09 off an assist from Meghan Hartnett to extend the Golden Bears' lead to 3-0.

• Forde added to the advantage at 56:49, scoring her first career goal as a Golden Bear off an assist from Abigail Alicandro. The goal made it 4-0 and marked a career milestone for Forde.

• Western New England continued to attack, with shots from Hartnett, Scyocurka, Alicandro and Emma Withington keeping pressure on the Curry defense. Withington's attempt at 61:54 struck the post.

• The Golden Bears maintained their defensive control as Ainsley Napolitano and Adara Boucher combined to preserve the shutout. Curry put three shots toward goal in the second half but did not record a shot on target.

• Sansone capped the scoring at 83:37, finishing a pass from Dipronio for her first career goal as a Golden Bear. The late strike completed the 5-0 result.

Key Performances:

• Liza Pinette: Recorded three goals on five shots, putting four attempts on target. Her first-half brace gave Western New England an early advantage, and her third goal early in the second half completed the hat trick.

• Emma Forde: Scored her first career goal as a Golden Bear in the 56th minute and recorded one shot on goal.

• Jillian Sansone: Scored her first career goal as a Golden Bear in the 84th minute, converting an assist from Dipronio.

• Ava Borecki, Meghan Hartnett, Abigail Alicandro and Marissa Dipronio: Each recorded an assist, helping Western New England finish with four assists on its five goals.

• Ainsley Napolitano and Adara Boucher: Combined for the shutout, with Napolitano playing the opening 74:40 and Boucher finishing the final 15:20. Curry was held without a shot on goal.

• Western New England finished with a 31-4 advantage in total shots and a 15-0 edge in shots on goal.
• The Golden Bears also earned six corner kicks while allowing one, reflecting their control of the match at both ends of the field.

Up Next:

• The Golden Bears return home Tuesday, Oct. 27, to host the University of Hartford at 3:30 p.m.