Bruehwiler's Late Equalizer Proves Vital as WNE Ties Curry 1-1.

Milton, Mass. (September 17, 2022) - The Western New England Golden Bears rolled into a matchup with Curry looking to bounce back after a tough loss against Springfield on Wednesday night. Curry looked to defend home turf and win their third straight game. This would be the first conference matchup for both sides. 

Records:

• Western New England: 3-2-1 (0-0-1)
• Curry College: 4-2-1 (0-0-1)

How it Happened:

As the whistle shrieked to begin the game, WNE and Curry both looked to start the game hot. Curry would make the first move when Erica Blanch took a hard shot on goal, but it would sail wide and not worry WNE GK Molly McLaughlin. WNE would respond six minutes later with a shot by Julia Frappier that flew high of the net. Western New England would continue the offensive pressure in the following minutes with four shots; however, none of them would trouble Curry GK Hannah Correa. Even after the original offensive pressure by the Golden Bears, Curry would be the first to get a shot on goal when Sydney Resendes tested McLaughlin. McLaughlin would parry the ball away for the first save of the game. Curry would respond with another shot three minutes later and continue pressing the G-Bears until it finally paid off.

In the 37th minute, after a failed clear from WNE, Blanch sent a one-touch, right-footed rocket on net that glanced off the crossbar and into the net past McLaughlin. It would be good for the game's first goal and Blanch's season. The rest of the half would be back-and-forth play where no shots were attempted. The Golden Bears would go into half down 1-0. 

Despite being down 1-0, the Golden Bears outshot Curry five to four, but did not get any shots on net, whereas Curry got two on net and one into the back of the goal. In addition, Curry took two corner kicks compared to none taken by WNE. As a result, Curry would foul WNE five times, and WNE would have four fouls. 

WNE came out of the half with a purpose and started the second half with their first shot on net that Correa had to deal with and did so. That would be followed up by a couple of corner kicks from WNE. The G-Bears looked to keep the pressure on and hoped that the opportunities would continue. McLaughlin would keep hopes alive with a save on Curry's Lexi LaPerle in the 58th minute. Frappier would have a chance in the 62nd minute, but the ball would sail over the goal and out of play. The shots would continue for WNE, with two more shots missing the net. In the 83rd minute, WNE's Lindsay Reidy would test Correa hoping to get it past her, but Correa kept the ball out of the net. In the 86th minute, though, WNE would get the opportunity they wished for. Danielle McCarthy would have a corner kick. The kick would arc in, take a bounce, and fine Allison Bruehwiler, who would bury the ball into the back of the net to even up the score at one goal per side. Both sides would try to put an opportunity together before the end of the game, but neither would get a shot on net, and that is how the game would end, 1-1.

WNE dominated the stat sheet in the second half with seven shots, three of which were on goal, one of which found the back of the net. Curry only had one shot in the second half. McLaughlin saved the only shot sent towards her in the second half. WNE also had seven corners to Curry's one. WNE would total 12 shots, two saves, seven corners, and six fouls. Curry would total five shots, two saves, three corners, and six fouls. 

Inside the Lines:

• Today's matchup saw WNE go on the road to open up conference play against Curry.
• Curry's Erica Blanch got her first goal of the season to open up the scoring. Blanch sent a shot at net on the first touch that glanced the crossbar and found the back of the net.
• It would take until the 86th minute, but Allison Bruehwiler would score her fourth goal of the season and tie the game off a Danielle McCarthy assist.
• Molly McLaughlin had two saves on three shots on goal.
• Hannah Correa had two saves on three shots on goal to match McLaughlin.
• The final score would end in a 1-1 tie after the last-minute goal by Bruehwiler.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England will return home to take on Smith College on Wednesday, September 21, at 4:00 pm.
• Curry will stay home as they welcome a visit from Worcester State on Thursday, September 22, at 7:00 pm.