Fitchburg, MA --- WPI's Kristen
Garza (Kingston, MA) netted two goals for number 39
and 40 of her career in a 3-0 win over Fitchburg State in
non-conference action Saturday morning. Fitchburg State
women's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season, while
WPI picks up their first win of the 2010 campaign.
Behind a shutout effort from freshman goalkeeper Maddie Willer (Penfield, NY), the Engineers
collected their first victory of the season with a three goal, 20
shot effort. Garza and freshman Megan Forti
(Lynn, MA) led the WPI offense, combining for seven points with
three goals and one assist, while junior Hailey
Taylor (Colusa, CA) also added to the mix with her
first assist of the season.
After a scoreless first half of play, WPI jumped onto the
score board early in the second half as Forti netted her first goal
of the season in the 59th minute. Off a deep midfield pass from
Taylor, Forti beat all defenders and posted nice tough shot on net
for 1-0 advantage. Garza doubled the Engineers lead exactly nine
minutes later as the senior forward used a one-time slip past from
Forti for her first marker of the year.
Late in the half, the Fitchburg State offense surged,
registering multiple shots on net from junior Carissa
Kennedy (Somerset, MA) and Ali Landry
(Bellingham, MA), but Miller stood strong with seven, second half
saves to preserve her shutout. Garza wrapped up the game's scoring
in the final two minutes of play, tallying her second score of the
game as an insurance marker.
WPI held a slim 20-15 shot advantage, while Fitchburg State
boasted a 4-2 margin in corner kicks. Freshman Jillian
Kirouac (Leominster, MA) started the contest for the
Falcons in net, posting six saves in 45 scoreless minutes, while
junior Melanie Berent (West Hartford, CT) posted
three saves in her second half effort. Willer finished the contest
with eight saves for the Engineers.
Fitchburg State will be in action again on Wednesday as it
hosts Eastern Connecticut State University at 7pm. WPI will host
Worcester State on Wednesday at 7pm.
Majority of Release Courtesy Fitchburg State Sports
Information.
