Golden Bears Edge Out Clark for First Win of 2022

WORCESTER, Mass. (September 3, 2022) - The Western New England Golden Bears headed to Worcester, Massachusetts, for a matchup with the Clark University Cougars. WNE looked to shake off the previous game against Brandeis and get their first win of the 2022 season.

Records:

• Western New England: 1-1-0
• Clark University: 0-2-0

How it Happened:

WNE would start the game off hot with two shots on net within the first four minutes of play. Clark GK Diego Martin saved both shots. Those shots would then be followed up by two more, including one by Malik Serriser, that went off the crossbar. That was quickly followed by another shot on net that Martin could hold on to. Clark would get their first shot off a minute later, but it would sail wide and not scare WNE GK Jacob Wadas, who made his first start of the year for WNE today. WNE would keep the pressure on with a couple more shots, including another on net. CU would follow that with their first shot on goal by William Lopez, but Wadas was equal to the task. WNE's hard work would pay off in the 26^th minute when Carlson Rose would score WNE's first goal of the year with a nice shot that slid right into the back of the net. 

WNE would keep the pressure on, but in the 33^rd minute of play, Clark would get an opening, and Ezekiel Palmer would net the equalizer for Clark past Wadas. The rest of the half would see a good amount of back and forth between the teams, with Clark having most of the shots. WNE, however, would have a shot on net that would cause Martin a little distress. WNE would have 13 shots in the first half to Clark's five. Wadas would save one of two shots forced on him in the first half, and Martin would make six out of seven possible saves for Clark. WNE would enjoy most corner kicks at six to two corners. WNE would foul Clark five times to the three fouls from Clark on WNE. The first half would end up even at a 1-1 tie. 

The second half would start with the teams trading shots back and forth, with none of them truly worrying either goalkeeper until a shot by Sean Lanzillo hit the post. In the 59th minute, Clark would take their first lead of the day when William Lopez sent a ball to Anyolo Makatiani, who put it right into the back of the net, making it 2-1. Western New England would push at tying the game, but would not come away with much. In the 64^thminute, Wadas would make another big save the keep the Golden Bears only down by one. Three minutes later, that would prove vital as Lanzillo would see his shot finally find the back of the net to equalize the game again. This nail-biter of a game would keep the fans on the edge of their seats with shots by Serriser and Clark's Luke Sheldon. 

Lanzillo would move towards goal in the 75^th minute, but Martin would save his shot to keep the game sealed at a 2-2 score. However, in the 79th minute, a ball was sent to Jayden Montagna by Roger Leland. Montagna would put his foot on the ball with eyes for goal, and he got it past Martin to lift the Golden Bears to a 3-2 last-minute win on the road. Clark would make one more push at goal in the 87^th minute, but Wadas would stand firm and make the save to seal the win. WNE would have 12 shots in the second half to make their total 25, and Clark would total 13 shots, with eight of them coming in the second half. Wadas made three saves on five shots on net. Martin would make nine saves on 12 shots on net. WNE would total nine corners to Clark's five. The Golden Bears would get a big win on the road to improve to 1-1-0 on the year.

Inside the Lines:

• Today's game was the fourth time the teams have played in five years. With a win today, WNE took their third win in the last four games against Clark.
• Carlson Rose's goal was the first of the year for the G-Bears.
• Ezekiel Palmer would equalize the game for Clark in the 33rd minute of play.
• Anyolo Makatiani would score to open up the scoring in the second half. 
• Sean Lanzillo and Jayden Montagna's first goals of the season would prove vital to putting CWNE up 3-2.
• WNE would win the game 3-2 in a nail-biter that came down to the end of the game to decide.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England will return home for a matchup with Elms College at 10:00 am on Sunday, September 4.
• Clark will remain on the road with a game at Framingham State University on Wednesday, September 7, at 4:00 pm.