Men's Soccer Draws to Open Season

WALTHAM, Mass. (September 1, 2021) – The Western New England University men's soccer team opened the 2021 campaign on the road as they took on Brandeis University, playing to an even keeled match with the Judge's, which resulted in a 0-0 draw at the end of the second overtime frame. 

Records:

Western New England University: 0-0-1

Brandeis University: 0-0-1

How it Happened:

Both teams opened their schedules on the rainy September evening and the Golden Bears came out with a strong first 45 minutes of the game. For WNE, Sean Lanzillo took the first shot of the season that tailed right of the post in the 7^th minute. The Golden Bears goalkeeper Brady Allen would be the one who would have to make the game's first save on an attempt from the Judge's Jared Panson. Allen was up to the task, turning aside the first opportunity of the game for Brandeis in the 17^th minute. WNE would come back strong after the Allen save as the Golden Bears would pepper GK Aiden Guthro with shots, though similar to his opposition, Guthro was up to the task. 

Western New England saw their best chance in the first half when Matt Remillard took a strike from just outside the box but once again it was Aiden Guthro coming away with a big save to keep the score deadlocked at zero to close the first half. In the half, WNE outshot Brandeis 10-3 and doubled the Judges in corner kicks, collecting four to Brandeis's two. Aiden Guthro came away with four saves in the first half on four attempts. The Golden Bears saw Brady Allen make his lone save in the first half on his only attempt. 

Brandeis would pick up their game in the second half, forcing the Golden Bears back line of defense to work hard. Brandeis would come away with four second half shots to Western New England's two. The only save of the half came late in the game, as Brady Allen for the Golden Bears came up large to keep Brandeis at zero. Liam Carpenter came away with the ball with just 3:12 to go in the second half and took a shot on Allen, who was able to turn away the shot. The Golden Bears and Judge's would need extra time for the second straight season, after drawing 2-2 back on September 21, 2019 in Springfield. 

Overtime brought excitement for the Judge's as they were able to control much of the first 15 minutes. Brandeis took five shots in the first OT, with three being on net. Brady Allen continued his dominance between the posts for the Golden Bears coming up with all three saves in the first OT frame. The Golden Bears took just one shot in the overtime frame, which was off the foot of Malik Serriser, that was blocked by Brandeis. Shots were significantly less in the second overtime period, with Brandeis taking two shots and the Golden Bears taking one shot before the whistle was blown, settling to a 0-0 draw.

Inside the Lines: 

• The Golden Bears shot 10 times in the first 45 minutes of the game but came away with just four shots in the final 75 minutes of the contest. Brandeis got off to a slow start, shooting just three times in the first 45 minutes, but were able to pick up play in the final 75 minutes, coming away with 11 shots for a total of 14 shots in the contest. 
• Western New England's Brady Allen came away with seven saves on seven attempts while his counterpart Aiden Guthro stopped all five shots he faced. 
• Sean Lanzillo led all Golden Bears with three shots in the contest. Gabriel Haithcock came away with a game high six shots and three shots on goal in the draw. 
• WNE took nine corner kicks, six in regulations and three in overtime. Brandeis came away with five regulation corners and two overtime. 

Up Next on the Schedule: 

• Western New England will play their home opener on Saturday, September 4 at 1:00 pm as they host the Clark University Cougars. 
• Brandeis University will head to Keene, N.H. to take part in the Home Depot Classic tournament on Saturday, September 4 as they take on the Hobart Statesman at 4:00 pm.