SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Western New England University defeated Husson University, 17-4, in a non-conference matchup at Golden Bear Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

The Golden Bears held a 1-0 lead with 10:16 left in the first quarter before Husson (1-1) sophomore Maddy Benoit tallied a free-position goal at the 10:16 mark of the first to make the game 1-1. Western New England (3-1) responded with seven with seven unanswered tallies and carried a 8-2 cushion into the second stanza after freshman Laela Martinez netted her second goal of season off a nice assist from sophomore Natalie Whitten at the 1:58 mark of the first.

Benoit scored her second of the game to make it a 13-3 game with 1:10 remaining in the first half.

Western New England opened the second half with four straight goals before Martinez capped the scoring in the game with an unassisted marker with 4:00 left in the final the period.

Husson's sophomore goalkeepers Emily Godfrey and Emma Begin made 12 saves in the losing effort while the Golden Bears netminders junior Faith Graveline, junior Riley Franzo and senior Emily Lake combined to turn away six shots while splitting the game in goal.

For the Eagles, Benoit scored two goals with a ground ball and two draw controls, while Martinez had two goals and picked up one ground ball.

For the Golden Bears, Kylie Buchanan scored three goals with an assist and Samantha Vitka added two goals and two assists with 10 draw controls.

The Eagles return to action on Saturday when the travel over to Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts to face Massachusetts Maritime Academy in a 3 p.m. non-conference game.