Norton, MA --- Freshman Hannah Lepordo (Sudbury, MA) scored both of Wheaton's goals as the second-seeded Lyons eliminated seventh-seeded WPI, 2-1, in the first round of the NEWMAC Women's Soccer Championship Tuesday at Mirrione Stadium.

The hosts, who are ranked sixth in the United Soccer Coaches regional poll and No. 9 in last week's NCAA Regional Rankings, improve to 15-3-1 and will head to top-seeded MIT Saturday to face third-seeded Babson in the second semifinal at 1:30pm. WPI, last year's regular season and tournament champion, ends its season at 10-7-2.

Each team put a pair of shots on-goal while the Engineers had the 8-4 advantage in overall shots and the Lyons connected with the post twice.

Senior Megan Healy (Huntington, NY) sent a through ball past the defenders on a breakaway to Lepordo who notched her 11th goal of the year at 51:50. Just over a minute and a half later, sophomore Becca Hapgood (Halifax, MA) deposited a free kick to even the match at 1-1.

The Lyons then went up again behind Leopordo's 12th of the year at 78:11, again with help from Healy. The rookie nearly completed the hat-trick moments later; however junior Gabriela Hoops (Stonington, CT) was there to handle the potential close-range bid.

Wheaton sophomore goalkeeper Alexa Barbagallo (Bridgewater, NJ) was pressed into service and made a pair of stops while Hoops halted three for the Engineers.

WPI owned the advantage in shots (16-7) while Wheaton was awarded seven of the game's nine corner kicks.