Salem, MA --- Three different players netted goals as the WPI women's soccer team equaled its best start in program history with a 3-1 victory over host Salem State on Saturday afternoon. The Crimson and Gray improve to 4-0 on the year while Salem State remains winless at 0-1-1.
In a tightly played contest in the opening minutes, scoring chances were limited. Viking transfer Leah Wood's (Loveland, OH) free kick just outside the box went barely wide of the post, and Casey Connolly's (Nahant, MA) shot in front of the net was blocked by WPI goalie Maddie Willer (Penfield, NY) for the only early scoring opportunities. The Engineers however, stuck first when Natalie McMillan (Acton, MA) scored off a corner kick by Megan Forti (Lynn, MA) at the 31:08 mark, to give the Engineers a 1-0 lead at halftime.
WPI increased their lead when Courtney Langley (Fairfield, ME) kicked a point-blank shot past goalie Rachel Ledbetter (Dracut, MA) on Forti's second assist early in the second. Salem State countered five minutes later when Veronica Poirier (Newburyport, MA) stole a pass and scored to make it 2-1. The Vikings pressured WPI's defense consistently, but after Connolly was stopped a second time in front of the net, the Engineers' swung the momentum as Emily Doherty (Shrewsbury, MA) raced the other way and scored on a pass from Jaime Espinola(Greensboro, NC) at 81:32 to ice the game.
Rachel Ledbetter (Dracut, MA) had two saves for the Vikings, while Maddie Willar (Penfield, NY) stopped four shots for the Engineers, who snapped a five-game skid against Salem State
Salem State plays again next Saturday at Alumni Field at 3:30pm against Wheaton. WPI travels to Worcester State on Wednesday, September 11th for a 4pm match.
Majority of Release Courtesy Salem State Sports Information
