Second Half Goal Takes Down Women's Soccer in 2-1 Loss at Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 14, 2022) - The Western New England Golden Bears traveled to the other side of Springfield for a matchup with the Pride of Springfield College. WNE looked to extend their three-game winning streak and take down their cross-town rivals.

Records:

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

How it Happened:

The game would start with a few minutes of back-and-forth between the two teams as they tried to get a feel for the game. However, it would not take long for a goal to be scored as Springfield's Nicole Sweeney would put it past WNE GK Molly McLaughlin. However, Springfield would not stay in front for long. Danielle McCarthy made sure of that when she blasted a shot from the right side of the box and into the back left side of the net. That would even the game back up at 1-1. Both sides would now have one shot and one goal. The teams would take turns trading shots back and forth. McLaughlin would have the first save of the night when she kept a header by Kaleigh Dale out of the net. A minute later, McLaughlin would make another save, and two minutes after that would be put to the task again, but would make the save for a third straight time. Springfield kept the pressure on for the remaining time, but McLaughlin would have none of it as she made save after save. WNE would get two shots on towards the end of the half. Neither of them would be on the net, though.

The first half would end at a score of 1-1. Springfield would have eight shots to the four of Western New England. Springfield would have six of their eight shots on target, but McLaughlin would save five of them. WNE had one shot on target and found the back of the net. Springfield had three corner kicks to WNE's one. Both teams had four fouls each during the first half. 

Springfield would put even more pressure on McLaughlin and the Golden Bears as the second half started. Two shots would be taken within the first eight minutes of play by the Pride, but McLaughlin was equal to the task on the one on target. Isabella Montalvo would respond with a header shot that would be on target, but saved by Springfield GK Taryn Ryan. Five minutes later, Montalvo would try, and again, Ryan was there for the save. WNE was ramping up the pressure trying desperately to break the tie. Unfortunately, only a minute and a half later, in the 64th minute, Springfield would make a run on goal, and Kaleigh Dale would get the goal she had been trying for. Off the assist by Kaitlyn Suller and Karly Suppicich, Dale would net her first goal of the season. The Golden Bears would try their best to claw back into the game with two shots, back to back by Sansone, but Ryan would make both saves. Kyleigh Wheaton would look great at a goal minutes later, but her header would sail just above the net. 

WNE would not get another shot on net. After a couple of shots that were sent wide of the net by Springfield, the game would end with the Springfield Pride getting the best of the Golden Bears 2-1. Springfield outshot WNE 13-9 in total during the game. McLaughlin would make six saves on eight shots she faced, whereas Ryan faced five and saved four of them. Springfield would attempt four corner kicks to WNE's one and would have ten fouls to WNE's five. It was a tough-fought game from both sides, with Springfield just edging out WNE by one goal.

Inside the Lines:

• Today's matchup saw cross-town rivals face off in their annual matchup.
• Springfield's Nicole Sweeney started the scoring with her first goal of the year in the ninth minute of play.
• Danielle McCarthy would even the score at one with her goal in the 11th minute. That was her first goal of the season as well.
• Kaleigh Dale would net her first of the season in the 64th minute to give the Pride a one-goal advantage.
• Molly McLaughlin made six saves on eight shots on goal.
• Taryn Ryan made four saves on five shots on net to help the Pride hold off the Golden Bears by a score of 2-1.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England will stay on the road as they head out to Curry to start conference play on Saturday, September 17, at 11:00 am.
• Springfield will stay at home as they play host to Mount Holyoke College on Saturday, September 17 at 1:00 pm to open up conference play.