Women’s Soccer Defeated by Smith, 3-0

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 24, 2019) – The Western New England University women's soccer team surrendered a pair of first half goals in an eventual 3-0, non-conference setback to Smith College on Tuesday afternoon at Suprenant Field.

Top Performers
Smith junior Peyton McBride (Manchester, N.H.) led the way for the visitors with a goal and an assist. Sophomore Zufan Bazzano (Great Barrington, Mass.) and junior Madison Biasin (Lee, Mass.) also scored for the Pioneers.

Game Review
Western New England applied offensive pressure early in the contest, as the Golden Bears recorded four shots and three corner kicks over the opening five minutes of play.

Smith was able to strike first, however, on an unassisted goal by McBride in the 17^th minute. After the Golden Bears failed to clear the ball out of the box, McBride gained possession, spun around and sent a shot past Western New England senior goalkeeper Alex Lemekha (Stamford, Conn.).

Just 3:21 later, the Pioneers doubled their advantage. McBride sent a cross from the right side into the box, and Bazzano settled the ball before burying the ball into the back of the net.

The Golden Bears had a chance to get on the board in the 42^nd minute, but junior Shawna O'Neill's (Worcester, Mass.) header attempt was denied by Smith sophomore goalkeeper Naomi Falkenberg (Sutton, Mass.), who made a diving stop.

The Pioneers capped the scoring in the 57^th minute, when Biasin lofted a shot over Lemekha's head and into the net after receiving a cross from junior Jessica Matsuoka (Redding, Conn).

Notes
• Smith held a 15-14 edge in shots, while the two teams were even with four corner kicks apiece.
• Freshman Summer Hathaway (Colchester, Vt.) put a team-high two shots on target for the Golden Bears.

Up Next
Western New England (2-6-1) opens Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play at home against Wentworth on Saturday. Smith (5-3-1) caps a four-game road stretch at MIT on Saturday.