Burns Lifts Golden Bears Over Regis 2-1

WESTON, Mass. (September 29, 2021) – The Western New England field hockey team traveled to the campus of Regis College this evening to take on the Pride in a non-conference match up where the Golden Bears came out victorious with two goals by Abby Burns.

Records:

• Western New England: 4-3, 1-1 CCC
• Regis (Mass.): 0-5, 0-3 GNAC

How It Happened:

The two teams were evenly matched throughout the first quarter of the game with only one shot in the first 15 minutes of play by the Golden Bears. After adjustments were made between quarters, the Golden Bears came out and earned seven penalty corners in a span of four minutes. On the seventh penalty corner, Carly-Anna Barba inserted the goal to the top right of the circle to Abby Burns. Burns collected the pass and sent a hard shot at the cage that flew past the goalie and hit the boards for Western New England to take the 1-0 lead right before the half.

In the third quarter, the Golden Bears maintained their momentum earning a penalty corner just over a minute and a half into the quarter. Five penalty corners and six shots later, the Golden Bears earned their sixth penalty corner of the third quarter. Barba went to insert, and Burns delivered once again for the Golden Bears finding the back of the cage and notching the second goal of the game. The Golden Bears led 2-0 with just three minutes left in the third quarter. With under two minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Pride flew down the field on a breakaway forcing Zoey Wexler, the Golden Bears' goalkeeper, out of the cage to make a save. The Pride capitalized and put the ball into the boards for the Golden Bears to only lead 2-1 with 15 minutes remaining.

In the final 15 minutes, the Golden Bears dominated recording two penalty corners and six shots. Western New England was unable to find the back of the cage but maintained possession and won the road game 2-1.

Inside the Numbers:

• The Golden Bears out shot the Pride 20-2 holding Regis to their only two shots in the third quarter of the game.
• Western New England's defense did not allow a single penalty corner for the Pride while the Golden Bear offense excelled tallying 16 penalty corners in the game.
• Zoey Wexler earned her third win of the season in net.
• Burns scored the two goals for the Golden Bears while Barba earned the two assists in the game as the insert on penalty corners.

Up Next:

The Golden Bears return to Springfield on Friday, October 1^st for the first game of the homecoming weekend where they play host to conference rival Salve Regina in a 6 p.m. game at Golden Bear Stadium.