Worcester, MA --- Host WPI and Springfield each scored a goal going into a blustery wind Saturday, as the two NEWMAC rivals played to a 1-1 double overtime draw at Alumni Field today.
The result was just the second tie for WPI in 18 meetings between the two squads and the first since a 1-1 draw in Springfield on October 7th, 2003. The Engineers are now 8-6-2 overall and 2-5-1 in NEWMAC action.
The Pride, ranked 11th in the initial NCAA Division III New England regional rankings, move to 10-4-2 on the season and 6-1-2 in league play. The Pride remain in first place with 20 points but Wheaton (18 points - 2 games in hand), MIT and Wellesley (16 points each with 1 game in hand) all scheduled to kickoff at 1pm.
WPI dented the scoring column midway through the 38th minute when Megan Forti (Lynn, MA) finished off of cross from the right line by Emily Doherty (Shrewsbury, MA) at 37:27. It was the senior's 10th goal of the season and 30th of her career. Forti's 31 points in 2013 continue to led the NEWMAC.
Springfield leveled the score midway through the second half when Jessica Miller (Southbury, CT) found Nina Vital (Ludlow, MA) on a through ball and the senior knocked home her third goal of the year over the goalies head at 65:09.
The Pride looked to go ahead late in the game but a goal was called back due to an offsides with just over four minutes remaining in regulation. SC attempted all three shots in the two overtime sessions, with the best bid occurring early in the second overtime by Nicole Fowler's (Maynard, MA) bid was initially stopped by WPI netminder Maddie Willer (Penfield, NY) and headed out of danger by freshman Lynn Renner (Aberdeen, SD).
Willer made eight saves in a strong effort for the Crimson and Gray. Lucy Gillett (Rockville, Centre, VA) and Sarah Myers (Bridgewater, MA) both recorded a stop for Springfield with Gillett in net for the first half and Myers between the pipes for the second stanza and the overtimes.
Springfield enjoyed a 13-3 bulge in shots and a slight 5-4 edge in corner kicks on the day.
WPI closes out its 2013 home campaign on Tuesday, hosting city-rival Clark at 7pm. Springfield ventures out of conference to play at Simmons at the same time.
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