Late Overtime Goal Lifts West Conn over Golden Bears

Springfield, Mass. (September 5, 2021) – The Western New England women's soccer team faced their second Little East Conference opponent in just two days, falling in double overtime to Western Connecticut State University 2-1 behind Myah Croze double overtime winner. The Golden Bears came up just short on a wet Sunday afternoon after outshooting the Colonials in an even matched game. 

Records:

• Western Connecticut: 2-0
• Western New England: 1-2

How it Happened:

In an even keeled match, both the Golden Bears and Colonials attacked on offense in the opening 45 minutes, though the results of those attacks led to no goals to open the contest. Both goalkeepers for their respective teams, Karly Martin for Western Connecticut and Molly McLaughlin for Western New England, stood tall between the posts. Martin finished the first 45 minutes making four saves on four attempted shots on goal by the Golden Bears. On the other side of the field, it was McLaughlin making three saves on the three shots on goal from Western Connecticut. The Golden Bears took three corner kicks in the first half, though none resulted in a goal. The Golden Bears put up three goals off corners kicks in their 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon against Keene State. West Conn only managed one corner kick in the first half. 

Western Connecticut wasted little time in the second half of the contest to get on the scoreboard. In the 57^thminute, Suzana Imetovski sent a through ball to teammate Myah Croze who then one touched the ball up and over the outstretched reach of Golden Bears goalkeeper Molly McLaughlin and into the net. Croze puts up her third goal of the season, and 21^st overall tally in a Colonials jersey to give West Conn the early 1-0 advantage.

Shots were not scarce in the second 45 minutes of the half as WNE would put on the pressure to the Colonials back line of defense in search of tying the contest after the Croze marker. In the 66^th minute, GK Molly McLaughlin would come up big to keep the Colonials from extending their lead. Just 40 seconds after the save from McLaughlin, Danielle McCarthy took a shot from just outside the box that was handled by Karly Martin from West Conn. WNE would build momentum from that attempt by McCarthy and tally late in the second half.

With less than 13 minutes to play in the contest, senior Allison Bruehwiler took a pass and started streaking down the left side of the field. Bruehwiler attempted a cross crease pass that found the head of teammate Allyson Hill and Hill made no mistake with the header, sending the ball into the back middle of the cage to give WNE their first goal of the contest and first goal on home field in the 2021 season. Hill picks up her second goal of the season and fourth overall in a Golden Bears uniform. Bruehwiler picks up her first point of the season on the assist. Following the goal from Hill, WCSU had a chance at ending the game late, when goal scorer Myah Croze found a loose ball and went one on one with GK Molly McLaughlin. Croze's shot rolled just past the right post to hold Western Connecticut off the board. The two teams would need extra time to settle the decision. 

In the first overtime frame, the Colonials dominated for much of play. West Conn took four total shots in the first ten-minute overtime, forcing McLaughlin to make two saves on two shots on goal. The Golden Bears were held off the board in shots during the first ten minutes. In the second overtime frame, both teams ramped up their offensive prowess. Late in the 100^th minute, Myah Croze was found with the ball inside the box. Croze was able to weave by the defender and take a shot that Molly McLaughlin dove and just kept off the line to deny the chance. Just minutes later, Isabella Montalvo seized opportunity at the other end of the field for the Golden Bears, moving in one on one with Karly Martin. Montalvo's shot forced Martin to come off the goal line and make a big save to reject the game winning goal from getting past her. Western Connecticut would use the big save as momentum as with just under five minutes to play, the connection of Suzana Imetovski and Myah Croze would shine as Imetovski sent a ball to Croze who then took one dribble and took a shot that went past the dive of McLaughlin and into the lower right corner of the net, giving Western Connecticut the 2-1 victory. 

Inside the Lines:

• Myah Croze shined for West Conn, picking up her first two goal performance of the season. Croze had four two goal outings in the 2019 season, one coming against Western New England on September 14. 
• For the second straight day Allyson Hill tallied for the Golden Bears. Hill has tallied twice this season for WNE in three games. 
• GK Karly Martin came away with ten out of eleven saves in the contest while her counterpart Molly McLaughlin came away with eight out of ten attempts on the afternoon. 
• WNE led 17-15 in shots, though were outshot 4-0 in the first overtime frame. Five Golden Bears took at least two shots on goal in the loss. In the win for West Conn, three Colonials reached at least two shots on goal with Croze leading all players with five. 
• The Golden Bears continue to rack up corner kicks on the season, already numbering 26 in three games. 

Up Next on the Schedule: 

• The Golden Bears will remain at home for a Saturday matinee when they take on Fitchburg State University from Suprenant Field at 12:00 pm. 
• Western Connecticut will open their home schedule on Wednesday, September 8 as they host Ramapo College at 2:00 pm.