DANBURY, Conn. - Sophomore midfielder Kyla Norton (East Hampton, Conn.) and classmate Suzana Imetovski (Seymour, Conn.) each netted goals to lead the Western Connecticut State University women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over visiting non-conference foe Western New England University in the season opener for both squads on Thursday night at the Westside Athletic Complex. Wolves senior netminder Kristen Roessler (Danbury, Conn.) finished with four saves which included a penalty shot stuff with less than one minute remaining in the contest.

The hosts controlled the majority of first half play, outshooting the visitors by a 9-3 margin. Norton would put the Wolves ahead, 1-0, when she tracked down a pass from senior Julia DePalma (Kings Park, N.Y.) and blasted a shot off a defender that squeaked across the goal line in the 13th minute of play. They would hold the advantage at the break.

The momentum turned in the second half. This time the Bears seized the majority of possession as they outshot the Wolves, 9-3, in the stanza. They erupted for a 2-on-1 breakaway early in the period. However, Roessler made a diving stop to the short side of the net, maintaining the 1-0 lead. The visitors continued to mount offensive pressure but WestConn capitalized on their effort. 

With less than five minutes remaining, Imetovski took a feed from senior Samantha Larkin (Wallingford, Conn.). She then raced alongside a defender before unleashing a blast just inside the post for the insurance marker and a commanding 2-0 advantage. 

WestConn pulled a player down inside the box with 47 seconds left on the clock setting up a penalty shot for Bears graduate student Allison Bruehwiler (Old Saybrook, Conn.). She then fired a low shot earmarked for the corner but Roessler came up with another stellar stop, sending the Wolves to the shutout win. 

WestConn improved to 1-0 overall and will return to action for yet another non-league tilt when they host WPI on Saturday at 1 p.m.