Men's Soccer Shutout in Season Opener

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 1, 2022) - The Western New England Golden Bears men's soccer team opened their season against the visiting Brandeis Judges as WNE looked to replicate success in defending. The Judges and Golden drew 0-0 at Brandeis as season ago,  hjowever, Brandeis had other plans as they netted two goals in the first half and two in the second to take down WNE 4-0.

Records:

• Western New England: 0-1-0
• Brandeis: 1-0-0

How it Happened:

As the game began, both teams attempted to get a feel for each other. The ball went back and forth between the teams. Nobody could get a feel until Brandeis made a run into the box during the ninth minute and got a shot on the net that WNE GK, Ryan Suprin, was able to save. Brandeis would take multiple shots in the following minutes, with only one having to be saved by Suprin. WNE would start to get their footing during the 17^th minute when Shay O'Neill attempted a shot on goal; however, it did not worry the Brandeis keeper. The next minute would see WNE midfielder, Jayden Montagna, shoot on net, but GK Aiden Guthro would be equal to the task. Finally, Brandeis would see their tough play pay off when Max Horowitz flew down the left side of the field and crossed the ball to Sancho Morato Tobias, who would settle the ball and send it in the back of the WNE net to go up 1-0. 

The possession would stay more with Brandeis than with WNE for the next several minutes. Brandeis would tack on another goal when Max Horowitz would find himself running up the left side again, but this time would settle the ball inside the box and loop his kick right over Suprin to extend the Judges' lead to 2-0 during the 30^th minute. More back-and-forth action would follow until Jonny Clough from WNE sent a shot over the top of the goal in the 44^th minute. Brandeis would tack up seven shots in the first half to WNE's four. Suprin made three saves in the first half to Guthro's single save. There were seven fouls in the first half for Brandeis and five for WNE. 

The second half would start with a few shots from WNE that were not on target. WNE would push entering the second half until they got caught pushing too much, and Brandeis fired two shots of their own that did not make it near the net. However, Brandeis would find the back of the net again in the 63^rd minute when Elan Romo took a shot from the left side of the penalty box straight past the Golden Bears goalkeeper  and into the bottom right corner of the net to extend the Judges' lead to 3-0. That would bring substitutions from WNE and more back and forth from the teams. The scoring finished with a corner kick from Brandeis that was headed toward the net, punched up into the air by Suprin, and pounded into the back of the net by Brandeis midfielder Roee Maor to bring the score to 4-0 Brandeis. The game would continue to see a couple more shots from WNE and Brandeis. However, it would be Brandeis parrying any attack WNE had until the final horn sounded to end the game.

Brandeis would have seven shots in the second half to give them 14 shots for the game. WNE would add six shots to their total during the second half and end at ten shots. Brandeis would see nine of their shots go on goal with four going in, and WNE would only have one shot trouble the goalkeeper. Brandeis would finish with five corner kicks to WNE's two and would have 12 fouls to WNE's 11. Brandeis would win the game 4-0.

Inside the Lines:

• Today's matchup was the second time in as many seasons that Brandeis and WNE started their seasons against each other. WNE is 0-1-1 in two seasons of playing Brandeis.
• Ryan Suprin would have three saves on seven shot attempts. Jacob Wadas would sub in during the 75^thminute and save both shots on goal. 
• Brandeis forward Max Horowitz would chalk up an assist and goal number one on the season for him.
• Sancho Morato Tobias would score the first goal of the season for him and the Brandeis Judges.
• WNE would be outshot 14-10 and outscored 4-0 to suffer their third opening day loss in five years. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England will be in action next Saturday as they travel to Clark University for a 2:00 pm showdown with the Panthers.
• Brandeis will return home to take on Denison on Sunday at noon.