WNE women’s soccer completes first-ever foreign tour

Date: 8/13/2014

COMO LAKE, Italy – Despite having a possession advantage as well as a greater number of shots, the Western New England University women's soccer team lost, 2-1, on a late goal in the 85th minute to Real Meda, a Como-based team, capping the Golden Bears' first-ever foreign tour in program history on Aug. 10. 

"All and all, it was a great trip and I was pleased with how hard we competed," said Western New England coach Ron Dias. "We are looking forward to our upcoming NCAA season. This was truly a trip of a lifetime and one that the team will not soon forget. I hope this is the first of many trips to Europe for future WNE women's soccer teams. Arrivederci, Italy."

On Aug. 9, senior Tayler Mazurski scored twice and junior Emma Norden tallied a goal to propel the Western New England University women's soccer team to a 3-3 draw against Amicizia Legaccio in its second exhibition match .

"In a well played match the final score was a fitting end to a close match as both sides created chances," Dias said. "I was pleased with our overall performance. We are starting to jell and that bodes well for the upcoming season."

Before the contest, Western New England took in breathtaking views, shopping and lunch in Cinque Terre.

The team kicked off its three-game, nine-day tour of Italy with a hard-fought 2-1 defeat to F.C.F Como, First Division team in the Italian Women's Soccer League.

In a well-played game under the lights In Ponte Lombardo the home field of FCF Como, Western New England took an early lead on a goal by junior Emma Norden on a great pass from senior Tayler Mazurski after a great build up from the back.

FCF Como tied the match just before the final whistle of halftime and scored again early in the second half to go up 2-1.

Western New England had some chances in the late stages of the match but weren't able to beat the Como goalkeeper as the final scoreline remained.

"Como was a very good team with crisp passing and ball control that played a high-quality game (but) we stayed with them because we were able to match their game speed," Dias said. "I was thrilled with our overall play as we never looked out of place.

"This was a great start for us and the setting of the stadium at the base of the mountains surrounding the town was amazing," he continued.