WORCESTER -- Senior Sophie Gomarlo (Swanzey, NH) netted a hat-trick as the WPI women's soccer team held off UMass Dartmouth Sunday evening in Alumni Stadium.

It is WPI's first hat-trick since Susannah Gray accomplished the feat in last year's season opener at Suffolk, and the first at home since Megan Forti turned one in on October 19, 2010 versus Mount Holyoke.

UMass Dartmouth was on the board early when sophomore Taryn Carley (Kingston, MA) finished off her own rebound at 2:23. Gomarlo evened up in the 17th minute with a chip shot after eluding the defense. The Engineers took the lead at 30:08 when freshman Leah Beauton (Colchester, CT) setup a chance for sophomore Kristen McCrea (Weymouth, MA) that went from the far side to the opposite corner of the goal.

Shortly after the intermission, Gomarlo struck for her third of the year thanks in part to a through pass by McCrea at 46:02. Five minutes later Gomarlo headed in her third of the game with help from senior Mari Bailey (North Providence, RI).

The Corsairs made it a 4-2 contest with 30 minutes to play as senior Alyssa Martins (Ludlow, MA) headed home junior Courtney Hewitt's (North Attleboro, MA) corner kick. UMass Dartmouth later cut the deficit to one in the 67th minute courtesy of a header by sophomore Juliana Fleming (Boston, MA) that went above the keeper. Senior Abby Silva (Fall River, MA) chipped in with the helper.

Sophomore Mandy St. Germain (Upton, MA) collected six saves in her first career-start and victory. Freshman Jaimee O'Brien (West Springfield, MA) stopped a pair of shots for the Corsairs.

For the game, UMass Dartmouth had the 12-8 advantage in shots overall and 9-6 on-goal while the Engineers were whistled for nine of the 10 offsides. The visitors were also awarded four of the five corner kicks.

WPI (2-0) heads to Framingham State Wednesday for a 7pm contest and UMass Dartmouth (1-1) continues its tour of the NEWMAC with a 5pm matchup at Smith on Thursday.