SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 28, 2026) – Western New England University women's soccer junior defender Abigail Alicandro (Oxford, Mass.) has been named the Conference of New England (CNE) Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week following a standout week in which she helped the Golden Bears earn victories over Keene State College and Wentworth Institute of Technology.
Alicandro's award-winning week started with her making an impact on both ends of the field during Western New England's 3-1 road victory over Keene State on Tuesday. After entering the match in the 28th minute, Alicandro played the entire second half and helped the Golden Bears hold the Owls scoreless over the final 45 minutes.
The junior defender also contributed offensively in the win. With Western New England leading 2-1, Alicandro found the back of the net in the 62nd minute off an assist from Stephanie McKenna, extending the Golden Bears' advantage to 3-1. It was Alicandro's only shot of the match and ultimately provided the final goal of WNE's victory. Alicandro finished the contest with 62 minutes played, one shot, one shot on goal, and one goal.
Alicandro followed that performance by playing all 90 minutes of Western New England's 1-0 CNE shutout victory over Wentworth on Saturday afternoon at Suprenant Field. With the Golden Bears protecting their one-goal advantage in the final minute, Alicandro came through with a game-saving defensive play. Wentworth sent a shot toward the bottom-left corner of the net with 26 seconds remaining, and Alicandro stepped in front of the attempt just before it could cross the goal line, preserving the shutout and Western New England's 1-0 victory.
Across the two victories, Alicandro played 152 minutes, scored one goal and helped Western New England's defense surrender just one goal. Her performance against Wentworth helped the Golden Bears secure their second conference victory of the season and improve to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in CNE play.
Alicandro and the Golden Bears host Westfield State University in a Western Massachusetts showdown for their next gameday at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30.
