BRISTOL, R.I. (September 19, 2026) – The Western New England University Men's Soccer team erased a two-goal halftime deficit with second-half strikes from Tyler Lewis and Junior Beyoko to earn a 2-2 draw with Roger Williams University in Conference of New England action Saturday afternoon at Bayside Field. The Golden Bears produced nine of their 12 shots after halftime, with Beyoko's equalizer in the 69th minute completing the comeback.

Records:
Western New England: 1-2-3 (0-1-1 CNE)
Roger Williams University: 4-1-2 (1-0-1 CNE)

How It Happened

First Half

• Western New England generated the first shot of the afternoon when Ben Riley sent an attempt wide right in the seventh minute. Roger Williams responded by creating the next four shots, and the pressure resulted in the opening goal at 11:08 when Aidan Jennings found the back of the net to put the Hawks ahead 1-0.
• Brendan L'Italien kept the deficit at one shortly after the opening goal, stopping Dylan Thomas' attempt in the 14th minute. Roger Williams continued to apply pressure and doubled its advantage at 21:34 when Brandon Rodriguez scored off an assist from Jennings, giving the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
• The Golden Bears began creating more opportunities later in the half. Ryan Sunshine put WNE's first shot on goal toward the bottom-left corner in the 30th minute, forcing a save from Roger Williams goalkeeper Eliot Panaccione. Western New England also generated four first-half corner kicks, including three over the final 17 minutes.
• Yihun Burnham forced another Panaccione save in the 41st minute, but Western New England could not break through before halftime. Roger Williams entered the break with a 2-0 advantage after outshooting the Golden Bears 8-3 over the opening 45 minutes.

Second Half

• Western New England immediately increased its pressure after the break. Owen Dieterle recorded the first shot of the second half just 56 seconds in, while Burnham tested Panaccione with another shot on goal in the 51st minute.
• The Golden Bears' pressure paid off at 53:50. Dieterle set up Tyler Lewis, who scored his first goal of the afternoon to cut Roger Williams' advantage to 2-1 and bring WNE back into the contest.
• Western New England continued pushing for the equalizer. Matty Leonard forced Panaccione into a save in the 65th minute before the Golden Bears earned consecutive corner kicks. Saif Shaker followed with another attempt as WNE kept the Hawks under pressure.
• The comeback was completed at 68:57. Jake Thibodeau and Lewis combined to set up Junior Beyoko, who found the net to erase the Golden Bears' two-goal deficit and level the match at 2-2.
• WNE nearly moved in front minutes later. Lewis put another shot on target in the 73rd minute that Panaccione turned away before Lewis sent another attempt high shortly afterward. The Golden Bears continued searching for the go-ahead goal, but neither side could break the deadlock over the remaining minutes.
• Roger Williams generated two late shots on goal in the 87th minute, but L'Italien stopped attempts from Kevin DeCapua and Rodriguez to preserve the tie. Western New England finished the second half with a 9-7 advantage in shots and four more corner kicks as the teams settled for the 2-2 draw.

Key Performances

• Lewis played a role in both Western New England goals, scoring in the 54th minute before assisting on Beyoko's equalizer in the 69th. He finished with a team-high three shots, including two on goal.
• Beyoko scored on his only shot of the afternoon, while Dieterle and Thibodeau each picked up an assist.
• L'Italien made four saves in goal for the Golden Bears, including two late stops that kept the match even.
• Panaccione finished with five saves for Roger Williams.
• Western New England recorded 12 shots, seven on goal and eight corner kicks, while Roger Williams finished with 15 shots, six on goal and six corners.

Up Next

Western New England returns to Suprenant Field on Tuesday, September 22, for a 4:30 p.m. matchup with Wesleyan University. The contest was originally scheduled to be played at Lusitano Stadium at 7 p.m. before being moved back to campus.