Springfield Stays Unbeaten with 3-1 Win over Western New England

Sophomore Josh Loomis scores Golden Bears' lone goal in 70^th minute

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 10, 2016) – The Springfield College men's soccer team remained unbeaten through 13 matches this fall with a 3-1 win over Western New England University this afternoon in non-conference action at Brock-Affleck Field.

Top Performers
• Sophomore midfielder Josh Loomis (Jefferson, N.J.) scored Western New England's only goal of the contest in the 70^th minute, his first of the season.

• Springfield senior Luke Alvaro (Chicopee, Mass.), who netted the opener for the Pride in the 58^th minute, registered a match-high five shots (three on goal).
• Senior goalkeeper Zach Richard (Millbury, Mass.) finished with four saves and was also credited with a pair of assists.

Match Review
• After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Alvaro gave the Pride a 1-0 lead just under 13 minutes into the second half when he came up with a loose ball and fired a shot into the left side netting for his 15^th goal of the season.
• Less than three minutes later, Springfield doubled its lead on junior defender Cam Powell's (Housatonic, Mass.) header goal, before going up 3-0 in the 70^th minute when a long clear by Richard allowed sophomore Brad Deckel (Lansdale, Pa.) to one-touch the ball into an open net.
• Western New England nearly broke through at the 69:52 mark, when junior midfielder Logan Pingree (Middletown, Conn.) got in behind the Springfield back line and put a shot on target, but Richard was there to make the save. 
• The Golden Bears got on the board on the ensuing corner kick, however, as Loomis headed home senior midfielder Kory Caster's (Wilbraham, Mass.) cross.
• Western New England had an opportunity to cut further into its deficit late with a shot on goal and a corner kick over the final two minutes, but was unable to capitalize.

Notes
• This was the first meeting between the two programs since September 28, 2014, when Western New England earned a 1-0, overtime victory.
• Springfield (12-0-1) is one of nine remaining undefeated programs in NCAA Division III.
• The Golden Bears were outshot by a 19-11 margin, but held a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.

Up Next
Both teams will be off until Saturday, as Western New England (6-8) hosts Endicott College in a senior day contest at Suprenant Field, and Springfield remains at home to take on Babson.