Devin O'Neill Era Starts with a Thrilling Come-From-Behind 3-2 Overtime Road Victory

WESTFIELD, Mass.--The Devin O'Neill era began in thrilling fashion on Tuesday evening as the Western New England University men's soccer team treated the first-year coach with a come-from-behind 3-2 non-conference win at Westfield State at Alumni Field. It was the season opener for both Pioneer Valley teams.

Sophomore Troy Remillard scored the game-winning goal in the first overtime with 2 minutes and 19 seconds left, completing an improbable comeback after Western New England trailed 2-0 after senior Zack Horn's penalty kick goal in the 75th minute. Remillard corralled a loose ball and fired a shot which deflected off an Owl defender before finding its way into the back of the net.

However, Western New England answered with a penalty kick goal of its own 4:31 later in the 79th minute after senior defender Colin Macdonald converted an Owl handball in the box to cut the lead to 2-1. Twenty-six seconds later, Golden Bear sophomore Logan Pingree took advantage of a sloppy Owl defensive clear and fired a left-footed laser into the top left-corner of the net to knot the game at two goals apiece and send it into a 10-minute, sudden-victory extra session.

After a scoreless first half, Westfield State notched the first goal seven minutes into the second half. Senior forward Kevin Bengle roped a low through pass to junior midfielder Cody Baglow, who took one touch to control the pass at the top of the box before flicking it past the goaltender in the next instant.

The Owls added onto their lead in the 74th minute, when freshman forward Legend Mu'min earned a penalty kick with some nifty ball handling in traffic and Horn found the back of the net with the free kick.

Western New England outshot Westfield 19-6, in addition to a 6-2 edge in corner kicks. The Golden Bears junior goalkeeper Kevin Strobel made one save.

Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Kraver had a strong outing in net for Westfield State in his season debut, before leaving the match with an injured left leg with six minutes remaining in regulation. Kraver made six saves, including three on one frenetic play midway through the second half.

The Golden Bears maintained most of the possession in the first half, and had two solid offensive chances. Junior Yeboa Amofa's shot from close range off a left-wing cross from Luis Agrait was blocked by an Owls defender in the 8th minute and classmate Kory Caster header just missed over the crossbar in the 30th.

Western New England is back in action on Saturday and Sunday for the Ramapo College Presidents' Cup Tournament in Mahwah, N.J., opening with host Ramapo and playing either Elms or Rhode Island College the following day. Westfield State returns to action on Friday, facing the University of Southern Maine in the USM Invitational in Gorham.

(Editor's note: Westfield State Athletics contributed to this game report.)