BIDDEFORD, Maine (October 3, 2026) – Liza Pinette's first-half goal proved to be all the Western New England University women's soccer team needed Friday afternoon, as the Golden Bears held off the University of New England for a 1-0 Conference of New England victory at Barbara J. Hazard Field. Western New England carried the one-goal advantage through the final 70 minutes while goalkeeper Ainsley Napolitano and the Golden Bears' defense kept the Nor'Easters off the scoreboard to secure WNE's fourth consecutive victory.

Records:
Western New England: 6-3-0 (3-1-0 CNE)
University of New England: 6-4-0 (1-3-0 CNE)

How It Happened:

First Half

• The Nor'Easters generated the first opportunity of the afternoon just over two minutes into the match. Emily Talbot put an attempt on target at 2:14, but Napolitano made the save to keep the contest scoreless. UNE followed with attempts from Ailey Mann and Gillian McGee as the hosts took three of the game's first four shots.

• Western New England broke through with its first goal-scoring opportunity in the 20th minute. After Tess Chevalier sent an attempt wide at 18:40, Pinette found the back of the net at 19:26, scoring an unassisted goal to put the Golden Bears ahead 1-0. 

• The Golden Bears began generating more of the attacking pressure after taking the lead. Sophia Scyocurka recorded attempts in the 22nd and 26th minutes before Marissa DiPronio sent a shot high in the 34th minute. 

• UNE attempted to find an equalizer before halftime, but Western New England's defense kept the Nor'Easters from putting another shot on goal. Gabriella Santoro recorded UNE's final attempt of the period in the 43rd minute, sending it wide right.

• Western New England entered halftime with the 1-0 advantage and held a 5-4 edge in shots during the opening 45 minutes. Napolitano made the only save of the half, while the Golden Bears put their lone shot on goal into the back of the net.

Second Half

• UNE came out looking for the equalizer and produced the first two attempts after halftime. Charlotte Jessuck sent a shot high and right at 47:42 before Eve Richard added another attempt in the 54th minute. Pinette answered with an attempt for WNE at 50:08. 

• The Nor'Easters created one of their best chances of the second half in the 62nd minute. Richard put an attempt toward the bottom-right portion of the goal, but Napolitano turned it away for her second save of the afternoon, preserving Western New England's one-goal advantage. 

• Western New England nearly doubled its advantage just minutes later. Megan McGrath took a shot in the 66th minute that struck the crossbar, keeping the score at 1-0. 

• UNE continued searching for an equalizer as the match entered its final 15 minutes. Lexy Brodeur sent an attempt wide right at 74:17, Marah Walton followed with a shot wide left less than a minute later, and Talbot sent another effort high in the 81st minute. None found the target. 

• The Golden Bears generated some late pressure of their own. Chevalier put a shot on goal in the 81st minute that UNE goalkeeper Haley Coombs saved. WNE later earned corner kicks in the 87th and 88th minutes, helping the Golden Bears play out the closing stages with the lead intact. 

• Western New England's defense saw out the remaining time to secure the 1-0 shutout, extending the Golden Bears' winning streak to four matches. The victory also moved WNE to 3-1-0 in CNE play.

Key Performances:

• Pinette provided the match's decisive moment, scoring her goal at 19:26 while finishing with two shots and one shot on goal in 47 minutes.
• Napolitano played all 90 minutes in goal and made two saves to earn the shutout. In front of her, Victoria Wilson, Emma Forde, Chevalier, Emily Smith, Abigail Alicandro and Ava dos Santos each played the full 90 minutes as Western New England held UNE scoreless.
• The Nor'Easters finished with a narrow 10-9 advantage in total shots, while both teams placed two attempts on goal. Western New England held a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks, with both WNE corners coming during the second half.

Up Next:

Western New England remains on the road on Wednesday, October 7, traveling to Beverly, Massachusetts, for a 4 p.m. matchup with Endicott College.