Owls Soar Past Golden Bears in Non-Conference Action

WESTFIELD, Mass. (October 6, 2021) – The Western New England women's soccer team saw the hosting Westfield State Owls score the first goal of the game in the 7^th minute of the game, followed by two second half goals by the Owls to push their way past the Golden Bears on Wednesday from Alumni Field. 

Records:

• Western New England: 6-5 (2-1 CCC)
• Westfield State: 7-4-1 (3-0 CCC)

How it Happened:

Westfield State got the scoring started early in the goings of the first half after Lauryn Davis sent a through pass up the left side line to the Owls leading goal scorer of the season in Delaney Parker. Parker took a right footed shot that screamed past Golden Bears goalkeeper Molly McLaughlin and into the back of the net, giving Westfield State the 1-0 lead. Parker collects her 16^th marker of the season, while Davis picks up her second assist of the season. The Golden Bears and Owls played to a stalemate for the remaining 38 minutes of the opening half. Westfield State out shot the Golden Bears 6-5 whole McLaughlin made three saves on four shots on goal for the Owls. Western New England put together two shots on goal in the first half. 

The second half brought more success towards goal by Westfield State as they found they back of the net for the second time in the game in the 60^th minute. Jenn Rennich sent a through pass down the right side of the box, which was tracked down by Madi Dufries who then corralled the ball and took a shot towards the lower left side of the net, which found twine to give the Owls the 2-0 lead.  Western New England would find their offensive game as Isabella Montalvo would take the next shot on goal for the Golden Bears, though GK Lauryn Davis took care of the shot from Montalvo. 

Just two minutes after the shot on goal from Montalvo, the Golden Bears would strike for their first goal of the game. After a successful throw in from Abby Free, Danielle McCarthy took one touch on the ball and sent a pass through the Owls defense to an open Kyleigh Wheaton, who chipped the ball up and into the right side of the net, cutting Westfield State's deficit in half. Wheaton collects her second goal of the season. Just six minutes after the tally by the Golden Bears, Delaney Parker was back at it for the Owls, collecting her 17^th goal of the season. 

After an excellently executed through ball down the field from Morgan Remington, the Owls leading scorer took the ball down into the box and make a move to get by the Golden Bears defense and goalkeeper and tapped the ball into the open cage to regain the Owls 3-1 lead. Three shots in the final six minutes for the Owls would not be enough, as Westfield State would come away with the 3-1 victory on home turf. 

Inside the Lines:

• Delaney Parker continued her impressive play on the season scoring two goals in the Owls 3-1 win. Parker netted goals 16 and 17 on the season to lead all player on her team. The Golden Bears were led by Kyleigh Wheaton who scored the lone goal for WNE on the afternoon. 
• The Golden Bears took seven shots in the second half, putting four on goal. Western New England GK Molly McLaughlin came away with nine total saves on 12 shots on goal in the contest. McLaughlin saw six saves in the second half. 
• WNE took just three corner kicks on the afternoon after averaging 6.8 corner kicks per game before entering this afternoon's contest. 
• Western New England drops their first contest to the Owls since October 9, 2017 after beating Westfield State the previous two matchups, both by a score of 2-1. 

Up Next on the Schedule: 

• The Golden Bears return to Suprenant Field on Saturday, October 9 for a 2:30 kickoff when they host CCC opponent Curry College. 
• Westfield State returns to Alumni Field on the same date as they host MASCAC opponent Mass. Maritime at 12:00 pm. The Owls look to remain perfect in conference play.