Men’s Soccer Tallies Late in Second Half, Draws with Salve Regina 2-2

NEWPORT, R.I. (October 20, 2021) – The Western New England men's soccer team took their second draw in conference play as they stayed even with Salve Regina University by a final score of 2-2. 

Records: 

• Western New England: 7-4-4 (4-2-2 CCC)
• Salve Regina: 9-5-2 (4-2-1 CCC)

How it Happened: 

Western New England dominated the first 10 minutes of the first half, keep ball possession for the majority of the time. The Golden Bears looked to take advantage of an early corner kick when Sean O'Neill sent the ball into the box and saw the ball bounce around before a partial clear from salve. O'Neill got his own corner kick back and took a shot on goal that was handled by Nathan Reid for Salve Regina. The Golden Bears relentless pressure in the early goings led to the game's first goal of the game for WNE. After the ball was sent through by Andrew Crean, senior Connor Mullins was able to run onto the ball and take a shot on the fly and sent it into the back of the net, in the lower left corner of the net to give WNE the 1-0 lead. 

WNE continued to dominate the first half, though were out shot by Salve Regina 7-6. Western New England's goalkeeper Brady Allen came away with three saves in the early goings to keep Salve Regina with nothing on the scoreboard. WNE took just a singular corner kick in the first half, while Salve Regina took three. 

The second half had more of an offensive balance between the two schools as Allessandro Oggiano opened the scoring just a minute and 25 seconds in the half to even the game at one. Oggiano took advantage of a misplay by goalkeeper Brady Allen and was able to watch the ball deflect off him and into the net to even the score. Shortly after his first goal, Oggiano was able to grab his second goal of the game to put Salve Regina ahead 2-1. Rich Ventura was able to find Oggiano just outside the top left corner of the box. Oggiano took a left foot strike that rang off the right post and rolled into the net to give SRU the 2-1 lead. 

The Golden Bears did not quit and were able to tie the contest at two in the 63^rd minute of the game. Matt Remillard sent the ball through and into the box where he found the foot of Aidan Rego who was able to fool the Salve Regina goalkeeper and send the ball into the lower right corner of the net to even the score. Rego scores his first career goal as a Golden Bear. The half would end, and the Golden Bears and Seahawks would head into overtime in a crucial CCC matchup. SRU took seven shots in the second half, holding WNE to just five. 

In the first OT period, the Golden Bears would take the only shot of the period when Johnny Clough took a shot just inside the box, though was denied by Nathan Reid. Neither team managed a corner kick in the first OT frame. Salve Regina University got the better of the scoring chances in the second overtime period, though Allen would come up with one save to keep Salve off the scoreboard. The final horn would sound, and the Golden Bears and Seahawks would settle for the 2-2 draw. 

Inside the Lines: 

• WNE saw Connor Mullins and Aidan Rego score their first goals of the season each in the draw. WNE took the opening goal before surrendering the next two though Rego's tally sent the game into extra time where neither team was able to come up with a goal. 
• GK Brady Allen came away with eight saves on ten shots on goal. Salve's Nathan Reid stopped seven out of nine shots on the night. 
• WNE was out shot 19-16 in the game, while Salve Regina out shot Western New England 2-1 in the 2 OT periods combined. 
• Each team was credited with four corner kicks in the 2-2 draw. 

Up Next on the Schedule: 

• The Golden Bears will honor their seniors when they host Endicott College on Saturday, October 23 at 3:00 pm. 
• The Seahawks visit Roger Williams in CCC action on the same date at noon.