Box Score

Photos

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Jon Bota and Jared Ward each scored five goals to power top-seeded Western New England University to a 17-5 win over No. 4 University of New England in a Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship semifinal-round game Wednesday afternoon (May 4) at Golden Bear Stadium.

Western New England (14-3) -- ranked 14th in the most recent national poll -- won its 11th consecutive match and will host the winner of Endicott College and Roger Williams University in Saturday's championship game. The Nor'easters ended their season with a mark of 11-8, with those 11 victories representing the second-highest win total in the history of the program.

Justin Bard contributed a hat-trick for the Golden Bears, who outscored UNE 6-1 in the third quarter to extend their six-goal halftime cushion. Bard was one of three WNE players with two assists, joining Taylor Dubose and Keegan Dudeck in that category. David Cedrone won 11 of 15 face-offs and controlled 10 ground balls.

For UNE, Alex Zadworny scored twice, while Mitch Mullin, Tom Luttrell and Remy Watt adding a goal apiece.

Steven Kerr totaled 13 saves over the opening 56:39 to pick up the win in goal for Western New England, which held a 46-34 advantage in ground balls.

Starting goalkeeper David Pearson had nine stops in the first half for the Nor'easters before giving way to John Dusel, who had one after halftime. Pat Pohle had a strong game on the defensive end of the field, causing three turnovers and scooping up a team-high five ground balls.

UNE went the entire match without being assessed a penalty and was 1-for-5 in man-up situations.