Roger Williams' First Half Goal Sinks WNE

Springfield, Mass. (October 22, 2022) - The Western New England Golden Bears returned home from their win at Suffolk to host the Hawks of Roger Williams University. Roger Williams headed into the matchup atop the CCC rankings, whereas WNE sat at third. With the postseason just a week away, this was a huge game for both teams.

Records:

• Western New England: 8-6-3 (5-3-0)
• Roger Williams University: 11-2-4 (6-1-1)

How it Happened:

The game started with a WNE kick back to the defense. As the game progressed, it saw WNE maintain the ball by passing it around, trying to set up a push toward the RWU net. The Roger Williams players made some interceptions, but gave it back to WNE soon after. It was not until the 11th minute that a shot was taken. It was taken by WNE's Brandon Lewis and was on not. However, RWU GK Jack Avellar dropped to his knees and made the save in the center of the net. RWU's CJ Sousa took the first shot for the Hawks, but it sailed high of the net and did not worry WNE GK Roger Leland. WNE answered with a shot on net by Johnny Clough in the 16th minute, which Avellar saved. A shot for each team followed, but neither shot made the goalies sweat. In the 21st minute, Devon Bento sent a shot at Leland, but Leland made the save with not much of a problem. Lewis followed that up with a shot on net against Avellar. However, Avellar was there for the save once again. In the 30th minute, Roger Williams got the opportunity they had been trying to set up during the entire first half. Matt Bagley struck down the left side of the field and sent a quick cross toward the center of the WNE penalty box. Javi Beltran was waiting for it, and the ball found Beltran. Beltran took a sharp kick at the ball, which sailed past Leland and into the back of the net. RWU was winning 1-0. 

WNE did not falter. Sean O'Neill kept the pressure on RWU with a shot to the top of the net that Avellar had to reach to get, but he did make the save. Mike Milazzo got a shot on Avellar as well. Once again, Avellar was equal to the task. The half would end on a shot from RWU's Bagley that went wide left of the net. At the end of the first half, WNE trailed Roger Williams by a score of 1-0.

Although the score had RWU ahead of the Golden Bears, the stat line showed a pretty even game, and WNE had controlled much of the possession in the first half. Roger Williams and WNE were tied when it came to shots attempted. WNE had more shots on the net as they sent five of their six shots at Avellar who made all five saves. RWU only got two shots on net, but one got past Leland. WNE had both of the corner kicks in the first half. The Hawks were called for six fouls, and the Golden Bears were called for three.

To start the second half, Milazzo had the first two shots. The first went wide and high of the net, but the second made Avellar work for the save, but he would make a jumping save and parry it out of bounds for a WNE corner kick. The 51st minute saw Chris Allen also send a shot at Avellar in Allen's first game this season. Avellar denied Allen of a heroic goal. The ball went from team to team for ten minutes, but then RWU made a push to double the deficit for WNE. Leland did not let that happen on his watch, though. He denied John Fogarty the opportunity to score. Roger Williams then had a shot in the 68th-minute sail high and wide of the net. However, they kept the pressure on with a shot in the 71st minute of play. Leland made the save and kept the Golden Bears in the game. 

As the game tightened up towards the end, WNE kept pushing for opportunities, but nothing was sent on net. It was not until the 88th minute that WNE saw a shot get on net. Nick Guidi sent a tough shot at Avellar in the center of the net. Avellar made the big save to keep WNE off of the scoreboard. That is how the game would end. The Hawks of Roger Williams University defeated WNE by a score of one to nothing. 

The final stats showed WNE having more shot attempts, with WNE having 13 to RWU's 11. Avellar made all eight shots that faced him, and Leland made three saves on the four shots that faced him. WNE had the majority of the corner kicks (4-2). Roger Williams fouled WNE nine times, and WNE committed eight fouls. It was hard fought game, but Roger Williams came out of it as the victor.

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears hosted the Hawks of Roger Williams in a Saturday afternoon game.
• Javi Beltran's ninth goal of the year proved to be the winner in the 30th minute of the game. Matt Bagley assisted him.
• Roger Leland made three saves on four shots that faced him.
• Jack Avellar made eight saves and kept WNE scoreless in the 90 minutes of play.
• Roger Williams won the game 1-0.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will stay at home for the final game of the regular season as they host Wentworth Institute on Tuesday, October 25, at 3:00 pm.
• Roger Williams returns home for their regular-season finale. They will host Nichols College on Tuesday, October 25, at 4:00 pm.