SPRINGFIELD, MA. – The Wesleyan men's soccer team opened the 2024 season with a 1-0 shutout victory over Western New England on the road, as Zach Feldman '27 scored his first career goal at Suprenant Field on Tuesday evening.

The Cardinals controlled the pace of the action early, outshooting the Golden Bears 7-2 in the first 45 minutes. Neither side generated a shot on-target in the first half. Yousuf Saeed '27 narrowly missed the crossbar from out right in the 23^rd minute, just one of the sophomore's several opportunities on the Golden Bears' net in the contest.

It was Feldman in the 67th minute of the second half that gave the Cardinals the breakthrough. The officials awarded the Cardinals a corner kick after a throw-in scoring opportunity by Lucas Ruehlemann '25 at the near post was deflected by Bears goalkeeper Braylon Casinghino. Joshwin Jennings '27, collecting the assist, set the kick from the near, right corner for a low drive towards the front of the net. The ball skipped inside the box before Feldman found it just inside the penalty arch.

Mathis Blanc '26 earned the win and his sixth career shutout, making two saves in goal for the Cardinals. Casinghino recorded four saves at the other end for the Bears.

The Cardinals return home for their home opener against Babson on Saturday, Sept. 7, with an afternoon kickoff at Jackson Field beginning at 3 p.m.