Western New England University

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 12, 2026) – The Western New England women's soccer team saw five different goal scorers on Saturday afternoon in the first Conference of New England game of the season, defeating the Bison of Nichols College by a final score of 6-0. 

Records:

• Western New England: 2-2, 1-0 CNE
• Nichols College: 0-3-1, 0-1 CNE

How it Happened:

First Half:

• Western New England wasted little time to get on the scoreboard in the game, as Liza Pinette stayed red hot with her right foot, capitalizing on the first goal of the game in the 16^th minute and giving the Golden Bears the opening 1-0 lead. Pinette notches her fourth goal of the season. 
• 11 minutes later, Western New England continued to own much of the offense and scored again when Meghan Hartnett netted her first goal of the season, adding to WNE's lead, who took a 2-0 advantage. 
• Western New England's final goal of the opening half came on a set play, as Emma Forde and Haley Wachter combined for assists on Natalia Estrada Rangel's first of the season, giving WNE a 3-0 lead, which they took into halftime. 
• The Golden Bears dominated the first half of offense, outshooting Nichols 16-2 overall. Ainsley Napolitano recorded one save in the opening 45 minutes of the contest. 

Second Half:

• Western New England kept the pressure up on the Bison and scored just 11 minutes into the second half to extend the lead to four when Liza Pinette found the back of the net on an assist from Sophia Scyocurka, giving WNE a 4-0 lead. 
• Pinette's goal was quickly followed by a strike from Stephanie McKenna, who fired home her first of the season in the 59^th minute, adding to Western New England's goal total in the game. 
• Nichols had a spurt of offense following the goal from McKenna, seeing Summer Bruno get a shot on goal that was saved by Ainsley Napolitano. Bruno took a pair of shots in the second half overall. 
• WNE found its sixth and final goal of the game when Marissa DiPronio netted her first career collegiate goal after her rocket from outside the box hit the woodwork and deflected off the Nichols goalkeeper and into the back of the net, giving the Golden Bears a 6-0 lead. 
• Western New England held onto the victory in the final 15 minutes of the game, outshooting Nichols 16-5 in the final 45 minutes. 

Inside the Lines:

• Liza Pinette found twine twice for Western New England while also adding an assist. Pinette has five goals in her last two games. 
• All of Meghan Hartnett, Natalia Estrada Rangel, Stephanie McKenna, and Marissa DiPronio found the back of the net for the first time this season today. 
• WNE took 32 shots in the game, putting 14 on goal. 
• Ainsley Napolitano made all three saves in 74 minutes of action, earning her second straight shutout. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE has a week off before traveling to Roger Williams University for CNE action on Saturday, September 19 at 12:00 PM.