Bruehwiler Shines in 2-1 Win over Cross Town Rival Springfield College

Springfield, Mass. (September 12, 2021) – The Western New England women's soccer team took the field for the second time in just over 24 hours and got the same result in both games that they were looking for, a win. Allison Bruehwiler led the way for the Golden Bears in their 2-1 win over the Springfield College Pride on Sunday afternoon from Supernant Field. 

Records:

• Western New England: 3-2
• Springfield College: 1-2

How it Happened:
Both teams got off to a slow start in a competitive 90-minute match. Neither goalkeeper nor defensive line would allow quality chances in the opening half of the game. The Golden Bears took five shots in the first half, forcing goalkeeper Caitlin Normoyle to come away with all five saves. On the other side of the field, GK Molly McLaughlin would turn aside both shots she faced in the 45 minutes of play to keep the score level at zero. WNE out shot Springfield College 5-4 in the first half, with the Golden Bears taking the only two corner kicks of the half. 

Western New England would get the scoring started early in the second half as Allison Bruehwiler capitalized on her second goal of the weekend when she took a through pass from teammate Samantha Vitka and was able chip the ball over the aggressive keeper Caitlin Normoyle's head and into the net, giving the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead. Bruehwiler scorers her second goal of the season for the Golden Bears, scoring her 13^th as a member of WNE. Vitka picks up her first career assist in a Golden Bears uniform. 

The Pride would respond quickly, forcing the Golden Bears defense to come up with key blocks and steps to keep the score in their advantage. Springfield College would not allow the Golden Bears to keep the lead for long, however, as Kaleigh Dale took the ball into open space just outside of the box and laced a shot up and over the outstretched reach of GK Molly McLaughlin and into the twine, knotting the game up at one all in the 60^th minute. Dale tallies her second goal of the season, and 36^th career mark as a member of the Pride.  Dale set a Springfield College record in the 2018-2019 season by scoring 20 goals in a singular season. 

Western New England would have a quick response to the goal scored by Dale and the Pride. The Golden Bears moved into the offensive zone and made a cross pass that went over the heads of all players on the field, that was then tracked down by previous goal scorer Allison Bruehwiler for WNE. Bruehwiler took a quick shot from the left side of the box that sailed up and over the hands of Normoyle and off the right post and into the net, giving Western New England the 2-1 lead. Bruehwiler grabs her second goal of the afternoon, and third of the season. 

Bruehwiler's shot was one of just two the Golden Bears took in the second half, being out shot by Springfield College 9-2 in the final 45 minutes of play. In the final minutes of play the Pride took seize of an opportunity at some open field as Hannah Kolodziey took a shot just inside the box that floated just up and over the net. That chance was the final one the Pride would see, as the Golden Bears would win their second game in two afternoons, taking down the Springfield College Pride 2-1. 

Inside the Lines:

• Allison Bruehwiler led the way for the Golden Bears taking two shots, both on goal, capitalizing for the two goals WNE scored on the afternoon. 
• Sophomore GK Molly McLaughlin stood tall in goal for Western New England, making four saves in the game, while surrendering just a single goal in the 90 minutes. Springfield College GK Caitlin Normoyle came away with five saves, all in the first half while giving up two goals on two shots faced in the second half. 
• Springfield College outshot the Golden Bears 9-2 in the second half while Springfield was only able to manage three shots on goal, with one finding the back of the net. Just four players for WNE took shots towards goal in the contest with Bruehwiler, Kyleigh Wheaton, and Lindsay Reidy each taking two. Springfield was led by their goal scorer Kaleigh Dale, who took six shots towards goal on the afternoon. 
• Of the seven shots WNE took on the afternoon, all seven were placed on target. Springfield placed five of their 13 shots on goal. 
• WNE and Springfield both took two corner kicks in the second half, with WNE taking a season low four total in the contest. 

Up Next on the Schedule: 

• Western New England will travel to Union (N.Y.) College on Wednesday, September 15 for a 7:00 pm kickoff. The two teams will match for the first time since 2001. 
• The Pride will host Wesleyan (Conn.) University for their home opener on Tuesday, September 14 at 7:00 pm.