Montalvo's Early Goal Proves Vital as WNE Slips Past Gordon 1-0

Wenham, Mass. (October 8, 2022) - The Western New England Golden Bears took to the road looking for their second conference win of the year against Gordon College, sitting one spot above the Golden Bears in the CCC standings. Gordon looked to defend not just their home turf, but also their three-game win streak.

Records:

• Western New England: 7-4-1 (2-1-1)
• Gordon College: 6-3-2 (1-2-1)

How it Happened:

The game started quickly, as Gordon's Abbey Engle made the WNE GK, Molly McLaughlin, have to make a save in the first minute of play. WNE answered by putting two shots up in the second and fourth minutes, respectively. Both shots would sail high of the net and the Gordon GK, Tori Paine. Gordon pushed back, though. A shot in the fourth and a shot in the fifth minute both made McLaughlin have to make a save. That made it three shots on goal in five minutes of play for the Fighting Scots. The game would seem to calm down for a few minutes, but then Isabella Montalvo struck. In the 11th minute, Montalvo put the first shot on net that Paine had to worry about, and it snuck by. Montalvo put the Golden Bears up 1-0 early in the CCC matchup. Gordon tried to push back with a few runs at net, but WNE's defense started to tighten up. They blocked a shot and kept steering Gordon away from the goal while the offense made runs at Gordon's goal. Each side took a few shots, and then Gordon got another shot on McLaughlin, but McLaughlin was not phased as she made the save to keep the Fighting Scots scoreless. The 34th minute saw another shot test McLaughlin, but Molly was there again to keep Gordon out of the net. The 40th minute also saw a Gordon shot have eyes for net, but McLaughlin was locked in, and nothing was getting past her. Danielle McCarthy had a great opportunity to double the Golden Bears' lead in the 44th minute, but it hit the woodwork and stayed out of the net. That was followed up in the 45th minute by two shots. McCarthy and Lindsay Reidy sent shots at net, but Tori Paine was able to save both and keep the score at 1-0 WNE going into halftime.

The first-half stats showed WNE ahead in shots with an 11-10 lead; however, Gordon had more shots on goal than WNE. Paine made two saves on three shots on goal. McLaughlin made all six saves that she was tested on. Gordon had two of the three corner kicks in the first half and also had more fouls than WNE, as they tallied six fouls to WNE's three. It was a tight first half that Montalvo broke open in the 11th minute. The second half was going to be just as tight.

The second half did not get off to as quick of a start as the first half, but in the 55th minute, it was McCarthy who got the first shot on net for the second half. Paine made the save, though. Summer Hathaway followed that up in the 58th minute. Paine made that save as well. Engle got a shot off for Gordon in the 63rd minute, but it was wide of the net and did not cause McLaughlin to worry too much. However, a shot by Kristi Di Rico made McLaughlin worry as it headed toward the net, but McLaughlin stayed cool, calm, and collected and made the save. That was the last shot for a while. The ball was sent from end to end, with both teams making runs, but nothing panned out for either team. It was not until a Gordon shot in the 82nd minute got to McLaughlin. McLaughlin made the save and kept the game at a 1-0 score. WNE got one more opportunity in the 89th minute, but Paine would turn Brynn Murphy away. The game ended shortly after, with WNE holding on to that 1-0 score for the win!

 The final stat line had WNE ahead in shots taken. WNE had 14 shots, and Gordon had 13. McLaughlin had a big day with eight shots saved. Paine made five saves on the other side of the pitch. WNE had three corner kicks in the second half to put their total at four for the game. Gordon only had one in the second half to get their total to three. Gordon was a little more physical, holding seven of the fouls in the game. WNE was called for six of them. The final score stayed at 1-0.

Inside the Lines:

• WNE traveled to Gordon for their fourth conference game of the season. Gordon came into the game with a three-game win streak.
• Isabella Montalvo scored her first goal of the season in the 11th minute to open up the scoring and give WNE a 1-0 lead. 
• On one side of the pitch, Tori Paine made five saves on the six shots that WNE took on net. 
• Molly McLaughlin made all eight saves to ensure the shutout win for WNE.
• The final score was 1-0, with Montalvo's goal proving to be the winner.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will return home to Springfield for another conference matchup with Salve Regina. That game will take place on Tuesday, October 11, at 3:30 pm.
• Gordon will finish up their four-game home stand on Tuesday, October 11, at 4:00 pm as the host UNE who is at the top of the CCC table.