WORCESTER -- The WPI men's soccer team saw its six-game shut-out streak end, but the Engineers won a key NEWMAC matchup 3-1 against Springfield on Saturday afternoon on H. Carr Field. The victory improves the Engineers to 5-3-6 overall, and 3-1-1 in conference play, while the Pride falls to 4-5-4, 1-2-2. 
 
The Engineers' shut-out streak spanned over 660 minutes of play over seven games, resulting in four wins and three ties.
 
For WPI, Francesco Valagussa (Arlington, MA) scored his fourth goal of the season, adding to his team-leading total. Anthony Previte (Andover, MA) collected a pair of assists in the matchup, his first points of the season. Luke Savoie (Mansfield, MA) and Aaron Vaz (Medford, MA) each added goals, while Ryan Martin (Douglas, MA) earned the win, making seven saves. 
 
Springfield got its lone goal off the foot of Chris Cruz (Greenwich, CT), who led the Pride with four shots on the day. Keeper Noah Pote (Washington, CT) took the loss, making six saves. 
 
The Engineers came out firing, with four shots in the first seven minutes of play. WPI finally broke through in the 14th minute when a Previte cross from the left side settled in the box to Savoie, who tapped it into the back right corner to put the hosts up 1-0. 
 
WPI kept peppering shots in the first half, finishing with a 10-4 edge, but three saves from Springfield's Pote kept it a one-goal game at the break. 
 
It took the Engineers just over three minutes of play in the second half to double the advantage. A Springfield foul led to a WPI possession and Previte again sent a pass that resulted in a score. Valagussa collected the ball and launched a rifle from 25 yards out that found the left corner of the goal to make it 2-0 WPI. 
 
Springfield had a flurry of activity in the 69th minute after a WPI foul, but a header from Connor Policarpio (Bristol, CT) was saved by Martin to keep it 2-0. On the ensuing possession, a Springfield yellow card gave the Engineers a penalty kick. Vaz buried the shot for his second goal of the season, making it 3-0 WPI. 
 
Headed for a WPI shut-out, Springfield played spoiler in the 87th minute.  Policarpio sent a cross from the back left and found Cruz who headed it into the goal for his fourth score of the season. The goal made it 3-1 where it would stay at the final whistle. 
 
WPI finished the game with a 20-16 edge in shots, 9-8 on goal, while also drawing a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks. 
 
Both teams return to the pitch for NEWMAC games on Wednesday. Springfield hosts Babson at 5pm, while WPI play at Clark at 7pm.