Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Senior Shawn Fitzpatrick (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) directed a header into the goal with just over 20 minutes remaining to give top-seeded Western New England University a hard-fought 1-0 win over eighth-seeded University of New England in opening-round play of the 2011 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Men's Soccer Championship on Saturday afternoon at snowy Suprenant Field.

The Golden Bears (16-3-1) advance to take on No. 5 Roger Williams University in a semifinal round match. UNE concludes its season with a 4-11 mark.

Despite holding a hefty advantage in shots, WNE was unable to break through until the 69th minute when Fitzpatrick converted a cross from junior Shawn DaCruz (Ludlow, Mass.).

The Nor'easters had a chance to square things late in the match, but Golden Bear sophomore goalkeeper Domenick Villano (Bronxville, N.Y.) turned aside an offering by sophomore Kyle McGlone (Peabody, Mass.).

The stat sheet favored WNE, with the hosts holding advantages in total shots (21-4) and corner kicks (12-2).

First-year netminder Aidan McParland (Brockville, Ontario) was brilliant for the Nor'easters. He finished with 12 stops, including several crucial saves to keep UNE within striking distance.

Villano had two saves to register his sixth shutout.