WPI 3, Babson 1
Box
Score
Worcester, MA --- Hailey Taylor (Colusa, CA)
notched a goal and an assist to lift host WPI to a 3-1 upset over
regionally ranked Babson in the NEWMAC women's soccer finale for
both teams on Tuesday evening. With the win, WPI improves its
record to 8-10 overall and 4-5 in conference play. Babson
dips to 11-7-1 on the season and 4-5 in NEWMAC action.
Taylor got WPI on the board 15 minutes into the match when she
netted her first goal of the season on a direct kick from just over
30 yards out. The Engineers extended their lead to 2-0 when
Kristen Garza (Kingston, MA) dribbled past the
Babson defense and tucked the ball past the goalie with just over
four minutes left before halftime. The goal was Garza's
team-leading 13th of the year (second most in the NEWMAC) and the
38th of the junior's career.
The Crimson and Gray got a key insurance marker in the 77th
minute. Taylor's corner kick deflected off the Babson
goalkeeper and was headed into the net by senior Liz
Tuite (Hopkinton, MA) for her second goal of the
season. The Beavers got on the scoreboard in the 85th minute
when Kristy Benoit (Shrewsbury, MA) knocked home
her fourth goal of the fall on an assist from Amy
Festa (Medfield, MA).
Babson, ranked sixth in the initial NCAA New England Division
III rankings released last Wednesday enjoyed a 12-9 edge in shots
and took six of the game's 10 corner kicks.
Rebecca Newman (Howell, NJ) picked up the win
in net for WPI. The freshman recorded two saves en route to
leveling her record this season at 7-7. Sarah
Macary (Woodbury, CT) and Sam Scarpato
(Weston, MA) each tallied a save for Babson with Macary playing the
first 78:13 and Scarpato between the pipes for the final 11:47.
Both teams will open being NEWMAC Tournament play on Saturday
with road matches. Sixth-seeded WPI will head to either to
MIT or Springfield while seventh-seeded Babson travels to either
Wheaton or Wellesley. Final brackets and game times will be
announced by the NEWMAC on Wednesday.
