Allen’s Five Save Shutout Helps Golden Bears Defeat Nichols College

DUDLEY, Mass. (September 25, 2021)- The Western New England men's soccer team took down their second straight CCC opponent by a final score of 3-0 behind a five save shutout from Brady Allen and tallies from Mike Milazzo, Matt Remillard, and Andrew Crean leading to a 3-0 victory for the Golden Bears over the host Nichols College Bison. 

Records:

• Western New England: 6-1-1 (2-0 CCC)
• Nichols College: 4-3 (0-2 CCC)

How it Happened:

The offense for the Golden Bears has produced six goals over their last two games, taking down CCC opponent the University of New England, and Western Connecticut State University by collecting three goals each on those respective games. More of the same came for the Golden Bears on the Nichols College Soccer Field in the mid-morning contest. Western New England collected the game's first goal as Mike Milazzo netted his fourth goal of the season for the Golden Bears to pace them ahead early with the 1-0 lead. Milazzo found a loose ball behind the Nichols College defenders and went in one on one with GK Franco Barreto-Santana. Milazzo dribbled the ball past the diving keeper and tapped in the contests' first goal to give WNE the 1-0 lead. 

After scoring the first goal of the game, WNE continued their attack in the offensive end, in search of their second marker. The Golden Bears were unable to find twine for the remainder of the half. The Bison would test WNE starting goalie Brady Allen who was tested in the 24^th minute of the game and responded for a save for the Golden Bears. Allen was once again put to work in the 40^th minute when Dawson Quint took a shot on goal, though again Allen was up to the task, holding the Bison off the board in the first 45 minutes. 

In the half, the Golden Bears and Bison would each strike six shots towards goal, with Western New England putting three shots on goal forcing Barreto-Santana to come away with two saves. Allen caught both chances for the Golden Bears. Nichols College was the only team awarded with a corner kick in the first half. 

Western New England would open the second half of the contest and quickly net their second goal of the game. Western New England's Sean O'Neill sent a ball into the box finding senior captain Matt Remillard who tucked the ball away to give the Golden Bears the 2-0 lead. Remillard nets his third goal of the season and 9^thpoint of the season for Western New England, while O'Neill grabs his first assist of the 2021 campaign. The Bison would find themselves down two goals and put themselves in the attacking third of the field following surrendering the games second goal. Ryan Mangan came away with the ball in the 62^nd minute for the Bison and take a shot on goal, though again Allen was there for the Golden Bears to deny the chance. 

In the final third of the contest, the Golden Bears would pick up their third goal of the game to extend their lead. On an assist from Milazzo, senior defender Andrew Crean would pick up the loose ball and send it into the twine to give Western New England the 3-0 lead. Crean collects his second tally of the season, after scoring the game winning goal back two weeks again in Keene against Keene State in the 89^th minute. The shot from Crean would not be the last of the half for Western New England, though the Bison were shut down by the Golden Bears defenders picking up their final shot in the 68^th minute. The Golden Bears would take down the Bison 3-0, getting their revenge on Nichols College, who took out the Golden Bears in the CCC Quarterfinal game in the 2019 season, after defeating the Bison 5-0 in the regular season. 

Inside the Lines: 

• Three different goal scorers for the Golden Bears led the way to victory as Mike Milazzo, Matt Remillard, and Andrew Crean would all tally for the Golden Bears in the win. Milazzo collected his team high 11^thpoint of the season as well as his 4^th goal of the season. Remillard gets his third of the season and Crean knocks in his second goal of the campaign. 
• Western New England outshot the Bison 11-4 in the second half and 17-10 overall in the 90-minute contest. WNE took seven shots on goal, having GK Franco Barreto-Santana make four saves, surrendering three goals to the Golden Bears.
• The Golden Bears goalkeeper Brady Allen came away with another shutout on the season, making the five saves he was required to. Allen now has three shutouts on the season, with two conference shutouts in a row. 
• WNE was held to a season low one corner kick in the contest, while Nichols College was also held to just one corner kick in the game, also a season low. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England will stay on the road as part of their three-game road trip as they will travel to Trinity (Conn.) University on Tuesday, September 28 for a 7:00 pm matchup with the Bantams. The Golden Bears return to Suprenant Field next Saturday, October 2 as they host Suffolk University in CCC play. 
• Nichols College will next be on the road in CCC action as they travel to Wenham, Mass. to visit Gordon College on Saturday, October 2 at 7:00 pm.