Golden Bears and Fighting Scots Battle to Draw

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 12, 2021) – The Western New England men's soccer team looked to avenge their defeat at Suprenant Field on Saturday afternoon by hosting another CCC opponent as the Gordon College Fighting Scots made their first appearance to Springfield in almost three years. The Golden Bears would tally in the first half, with a response from the Fighting Scots in the second half to level the game at one. Neither team would capture the game winning goal in the two overtime periods, keeping the game at a draw at the final horn.

Records: 

• Western New England: 7-3-3 (3-1-1 CCC)
• Gordon College: 6-4-2 (2-2-1 CCC)

How it Happened:
As the game started out, both the Golden Bears and Fighting Scots played to an even back and forth contest. Neither team was able to generate much offense, with the majority of the play coming through the midfield. Brandon Lewis took the first shot on goal for either team, though Brody Veleber came away with the save to keep the Golden Bears off the board. In the 19^th minute, Western New England would seize opportunity at some open space down the field and cash in. 

The Golden Bears saw Mike Milazzo slip into the center of the field with the ball, making moves to pass by the Fighting Scots defenders. Milazzo would find himself inside the box with room to shoot and took the shot that landed perfectly into the bottom left corner of the net to give Western New England the early 1-0 lead. Milazzo netted his team leading fifth goal of the season. Western New England would see Gordon College respond with shots on goal following the goal from Milazzo, though Brady Allen came away with four first half saves to keep the zero on the scoreboard for Gordon College. In the half, Gordon took seven shots to Western New England's three, with Allen coming away with four saves and Veleber making two. Gordon took seven corner kicks in the opening half while WNE was shutout in that department. 

Gordon College would waste little time in the second half to even the score as their leading goal scorer on the season Chase Gwynn would find twine. After a ball was sent across the field from Jarvin Ramirez to a streaking Gwynn, Gwynn found himself one on one with a Golden Bears defender and was able to take a shot just past the leg of both the defender and the goalkeeper and tallied the first goal of the game for the Fighting Scots. Gwynn tallies his 13^th goal of the season to even the score at one all. 

Following the goal from Gordon, Allen continued to take down opportunities from the Fighting Scots, coming away with four saves in the half. Western New England saw their lone shot on goal in the second half come early in the second half from senior captain Matt Remillard. Western New England and Gordon would need extra time in an attempt to settle the difference on the scoreboard. 

A total of just one shot was taken in the first overtime frame as it belonged to the Gordon goal scorer, Chase Gwynn. Gwynn took a shot that sailed up and over the net in the 96^th minute. The Golden Bears and Fighting Scots played more of the overtime period in the midfield, not allowing chances for either team to score. Western New England's best chance at goal game in the 103^rd minute of the contest when the Golden Bears were awarded with a free kick in their offensive half of the field. After a strong kick to the back post by Sean O'Neill, Remillard pounced on the ball and deflected it towards goal, though Brody Veleber would deny the chance and keep WNE off the scoreboard. WNE held Gordon to zero shots in the second overtime period, ending the game in a 1-1 draw. 

Inside the Lines:

• Prior to today's meeting the Fighting Scots had won the last six meetings between the two teams. WNE is 6-10-3 all time against Gordon College
• GK Brady Allen made eight saves in the 110 minutes of play, making four in both the first and second half of the game. Allen was not forced to make a save in the OT session. 
• First year Mike Milazzo scored his fifth goal of the season in the draw. Milazzo leads the team with 13 total points on the year, with his five goals while adding three assists. 
• WNE took four corner kicks in the contest, with three of the four coming in the second half. Gordon started off hot, taking seven first half corner kicks, but the Golden Bears defense settled in and allowed just two after the first 45 minutes to the Fighting Scots. 
• The Fighting Scots' Chase Gwynn led all players with five shots towards goal on the afternoon. Remillard and Milazzo each took two shots towards goal in the draw. 

Up Next on the Schedule: 

• The Golden Bears will travel to Bristol, R.I. on Friday, October 15 for a matchup with the Hawks of Roger Williams University at 7:00 pm. WNE is 22-12-2 all time against Roger Williams. 
• Gordon College stays on the road as they will travel to the opposite side of Rhode Island to take on the Salve Regina Seahawks on Saturday October 16 at 7:00 pm.