BIDDEFORD, Maine — The Western New England University men's soccer team used a dominant offensive performance to secure a 4-0 conference victory over the University of New England on Saturday afternoon at Barbara J. Hazard Field. The Golden Bears scored three times in the opening 28 minutes before adding another goal early in the second half, while Brendan L'Italien made one save to preserve the shutout. With the victory, Western New England improves to 3-4-3 overall and 2-1-1 in conference play.

Records:
Western New England: 3-4-3, 2-1-1
U New England: 3-6-3, 0-3-1

How It Happened:

First Half

• Western New England immediately applied pressure, earning a corner kick in the opening four minutes and putting its first shot on goal shortly thereafter.
• The Golden Bears broke through in the fifth minute when Saif Shaker finished a chance assisted by Tyler Lewis and Evan Schultz to give Western New England an early 1-0 advantage. The goal marked Shaker's first career goal as a Golden Bear.
• Just under three minutes later, Ryan Sunshine doubled the lead with an eighth-minute goal assisted by Jake Thibodeau. The tally was Sunshine's first career goal for Western New England.
• The Golden Bears continued to generate opportunities throughout the opening half. Western New England registered 15 shots in the first 45 minutes, including four shots on goal.
• Cole Casinghino and Lewis each created additional scoring chances during the opening stretch, with UNE goalkeeper Jay Weingarten making several saves to keep the Nor'Easters within striking distance.
• Western New England extended its advantage in the 29th minute when Owen Cunneen found the back of the net for a 3-0 lead. Like Shaker and Sunshine, the goal was Cunneen's first career goal for the Golden Bears.
• Western New England maintained control through the remainder of the half, limiting UNE to two shots while taking a 3-0 lead into halftime.

Second Half

• The Golden Bears wasted little time adding to their advantage after halftime, with Casinghino scoring in the 51st minute on an assist from Lewis to make it a 4-0 contest.
• Western New England continued to pressure the Nor'Easters, generating 10 shots in the second half and forcing Weingarten into five additional saves.
• L'Italien and the Golden Bear defense remained composed throughout the second half. UNE managed three shots after halftime, with only one finding its way on target and L'Italien making the save.
• Western New England continued to create opportunities late in the match, including three shots from Matty Leonard during the final 15 minutes.
• The Golden Bears' defensive effort held UNE off the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest, securing the 4-0 shutout and the team's second conference victory of the season.

Key Performances:

• Saif Shaker opened the scoring in the fifth minute, recording his first career goal for Western New England. He finished with two shots, including one on goal.
• Ryan Sunshine added the Golden Bears' second goal in the eighth minute, marking his first career goal as a Golden Bear. He recorded one shot on goal.
• Owen Cunneen scored his first career Western New England goal in the 29th minute, giving the Golden Bears a three-goal advantage before halftime. He finished with one shot on goal.
• Cole Casinghino capped the scoring with a 51st-minute goal assisted by Lewis. Casinghino finished with three shots, including two on goal.
• Tyler Lewis contributed two assists while registering a team-high five shots and three shots on goal.
• Jake Thibodeau recorded an assist on Sunshine's goal and added two shots.
• Brendan L'Italien played all 90 minutes in goal and made one save to earn the shutout.

Team Statistics:

• Western New England controlled the offensive numbers throughout the afternoon, outshooting UNE 25-5 and holding a 13-1 advantage in shots on goal.
• The Golden Bears also earned four corner kicks compared with six for the Nor'Easters.
• The four-goal performance marked a balanced offensive effort, with four different Golden Bears finding the back of the net.
• Western New England also received assists from Lewis, Schultz and Thibodeau, while Lewis accounted for two of the team's four helpers.

Up Next:

The Golden Bears return to action Wednesday, Oct. 7, when they travel to Endicott College for a 7 p.m. contest in Beverly, Massachusetts.