NEW LONDON, Conn. — The Western New England University men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to the United States Coast Guard Academy on Tuesday evening at Nitchman Field. The Golden Bears and Bears played to a scoreless draw through the opening 45 minutes before Coast Guard found the back of the net twice early in the second half.

Records:
Western New England: 2-4-3 (1-1-1 CNE)
United States Coast Guard Academy: 4-2-1 (1-0-0 NEWMAC)

How It Happened:

First Half

• The two sides battled through a scoreless opening 45 minutes, with both teams working to establish possession and create offensive opportunities.
• Western New England generated several chances during the latter stages of the half. Nigel Martin tested Coast Guard goalkeeper Samuel Linkous with a low shot at 37:51, but Linkous made the save to keep the match scoreless.
• Martin created another opportunity moments later, sending a shot high at 38:21. Yihun Burnham also put a chance over the crossbar at 40:18.
• Ben Riley forced another save from Linkous at 34:27, while Saif Shaker had a shot blocked with just over a minute remaining in the half.
• Coast Guard recorded a pair of shots late in the opening half, but neither found the target as the teams entered halftime tied, 0-0.

Second Half

• Coast Guard broke through early in the second half. Eric Howard scored at 52:13, finishing a shot to the lower right corner off an assist from Jake Fish to give the Bears a 1-0 advantage.
• Less than two minutes later, Coast Guard doubled its lead when Kai Trager converted at 53:57. Trager initially had his penalty kick saved by Anthony Shea, but finished the ensuing opportunity to make it 2-0.
• Western New England responded by increasing the pressure offensively. The Golden Bears generated multiple chances throughout the second half, including blocked attempts from Nick Adzima, Matty Leonard and Shaker.
• Miles Lanier made an important save at 61:44, stopping a low attempt from Coast Guard's James Von Dyl and keeping WNE within two goals.
• The Golden Bears continued to push in the closing minutes. Kareem Awkal twice forced saves from Linkous, while Brady Suomala also had two shots stopped by the Coast Guard goalkeeper.
• WNE's best late opportunity came at 85:07, when Nigel Martin's shot struck the crossbar. Suomala followed with another shot that was saved at 89:47, but Coast Guard held on for the 2-0 victory.

Key Performances:

• Nigel Martin generated multiple offensive opportunities for the Golden Bears, including a shot that was saved in the first half and a late attempt that struck the crossbar.
• Brady Suomala provided an offensive spark in the second half, recording multiple shots on goal and forcing several saves from Linkous.
• Kareem Awkal also created opportunities off the bench, putting two second-half shots on frame that were saved.
• Anthony Shea stopped Trager's initial penalty kick in the second half before Coast Guard converted its second goal.
• Samuel Linkous was a key factor for Coast Guard, making multiple saves throughout the contest, including several during WNE's late offensive push.

Up Next:

The Golden Bears will continue a stretch of five consecutive road games when they travel to Biddeford, Maine, to take on the University of New England at noon on Saturday, Oct. 3.