HARTFORD, Conn. – The Trinity College Men's Soccer team fell to host Western New England University, 2-1, in a non-conference matchup at Suprenant Field Wednesday night. The Bantams move to 2-8 on the season, while the Golden Bears sit at 5-6-3 overall.
 
In the 34^th minute of play, the Golden Bears drew a foul inside the Bantams goal box, resulting in a penalty kick for Western New England. On the penalty kick attempt, senior Roger Leland found the back of the net to give Western New England the 1-0 lead. Just over five minutes later, the Golden Bears added to their advantage as first-year Tyler Lewis knocked home a corner kick from graduate Keegan Reim to extend the lead to 2-0 in the first half.
 
The Bantams prevented a clean sheet for the Golden Bears with 7:15 to play as senior Nick Bellak fired a shot on goal that was stopped by WNEU sophomore goalkeeper Braylon Casinghino, but the rebound landed at the foot of first-year Chris Connelly, who tucked a shot into the open net, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
 
The Golden Bears edged the Bantams in the shot column, 13-12, with both sides taking five corner kicks. Trinity senior goalkeeper Matt Birnhak made three saves, while Casinghino stopped one shot.
 
The Bantams will be back in action when they host Bowdoin in a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) tilt at Trinity Soccer Field Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Western New England hosts Wentworth Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
 
TRINITY ATHLETICS