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Western New England University

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MSOC 9.6
2
WPI WPI (0-1-1, 0-0-0)
3
Winner Western New Eng. WNE (1-1-1, 0-0-0)
WPI WPI
(0-1-1, 0-0-0)
2
Final
3
Western New Eng. WNE
(1-1-1, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
WPI WPI 0 2 2
Western New Eng. WNE 1 2 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

O'Neill Earns 100th Career Victory on Dieterle's Late Screamer, 3-2

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Western New England University men's soccer team scored twice in the final seven minutes to rally past WPI, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at Suprenant Field, giving head coach Devin O'Neill his 100th victory with the program. The Golden Bears improved to 1-1-1 on the season, while WPI fell to 0-2-1. The victory also marked the first meeting between the two programs that counted toward the series record, with Western New England moving to 1-0-0 against the Engineers.

Records:

Western New England: 1-1-1
WPI: 0-2-1

How It Happened:

First Half:

  • Western New England established pressure early, putting together several scoring opportunities during the opening minutes. Yihun Burnham tested WPI goalkeeper Savio Ketnouvong in the fifth minute, while Nigel Martin and Tyler Lewis also generated chances as the Golden Bears looked to break through.
  • WPI responded with pressure of its own, as Nikolas Previte and Adin Pezo each tested WNE goalkeeper Brendan L'Italien during the opening quarter-hour. L'Italien turned aside Previte's attempt in the 10th minute before making another save on Previte in the 14th minute.
  • The Golden Bears finally broke through in the 20th minute. Junior Beyoko put Western New England on the board at 19:40, finishing a chance that was deflected in by a WPI defender for Beyoko's first Golden Bear goal. Lewis was credited with the assist on the opening goal.
  • WNE continued to create opportunities throughout the remainder of the half, earning three corner kicks while holding WPI scoreless through the final 25 minutes. L'Italien made another save in the 41st minute to preserve the one-goal advantage heading into halftime.
  • Western New England carried a 1-0 lead into the break despite WPI having 7 shots during the opening 45 minutes.

Second Half:

  • The Engineers quickly changed the momentum after halftime.
  • Just under five minutes into the second half, Previte found Pezo, who converted at 49:52 to pull WPI level at 1-1. The Engineers continued to apply pressure, and Pezo struck again in the 64th minute, giving WPI its first lead of the afternoon at 2-1.
  • Western New England answered by increasing its pressure as the second half progressed. The Golden Bears generated several chances and earned five corner kicks during the final 45 minutes, but Ketnouvong kept WNE off the scoreboard until the closing minutes.
  • The breakthrough finally came in the 83rd minute.
  • Matty Leonard sent a cross into the area, where Lucas Ritson headed the ball into the right side of the goal at 82:46 to bring the Golden Bears even at 2-2. The equalizer shifted the momentum back to Western New England with less than eight minutes remaining.
  • The Golden Bears then completed the comeback with just 1:10 remaining in regulation.
  • After WPI was shown a yellow card with 1:19 remaining, Western New England continued its attacking pressure. Owen Dieterle collected the ball just outside the 18-yard box and unleashed a shot into the top-left area of the goal at 88:50, putting the Golden Bears back in front, 3-2.
  • WPI had little time to respond, and Western New England held on through the final seconds to secure the victory.

Key Performances:

  • Beyoko opened the scoring for Western New England, while Ritson provided the late equalizer. Dieterle delivered the decisive goal with 1:10 remaining in regulation. Lewis finished with an assist on Beyoko's goal, while Leonard recorded the assist on Ritson's header.
  • L'Italien played all 90 minutes in goal and made six saves while allowing two goals. His six stops included four saves in the second half as WPI attempted to protect its one-goal advantage.
  • Pezo accounted for both WPI goals and finished with five shots, including three on target. Previte added four shots and one assist.
  • The Golden Bears finished with 15 shots, including six on goal, compared to 16 shots and eight shots on goal for WPI. Western New England held an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks, including a 5-2 edge in the second half.
  • L'Italien's six saves helped the Golden Bears withstand WPI's offensive pressure, while Ketnouvong made three saves for the Engineers.
  • The two teams combined for five goals. Western New England's final two goals came in the closing seven minutes, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory.
  • The win also provided a milestone afternoon for Head Coach Devin O'Neill, who recorded his 100th victory at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Up Next

  • The Golden Bears return to action Wednesday, Sept. 9, when Western New England travels to Wheaton College at 4:00 p.m.
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