New London, CT --- Second second half goals by Katie Adiletta (Bolton, MA) and Rian Fadden (Leicester, MA) led the WPI women's soccer team to a key 2-1 road victory over host Coast Guard in NEWMAC play Saturday afternoon on Nitchman Field.
 
With the win, the Engineers lifts its record to 7-3-4 overall and 4-1-2 in conference play.  WPI now has 14 points in conference play, and coupled with losses by Smith to Babson and Springfield to Emerson, moves the Crimson and Gray into second place in the 12-team NEWMAC with 14 points through seven matches.  Coast Guard drops to 2-10-3 on the season and 2-5-1 in conference action.
 
The first stanza saw back-and-forth action, leading to a stalemate going into intermission. The Engineers secured more shots, 7-3, while Coast Guard held a slight edge in corners, 4-2. WPI started off strong with two shots within the first three minutes, but Olivia Toolin's (Bedford, NH) shot was saved by CGA goalkeeper Emily Scharnitzky (Charleston, SC), and Lexi Carim's (Wallingford, CT) attempt went wide right. Coast Guard had some opportunities throughout the half, with Isabella Brittian (Woodbridge, VA) and Mia Lambert (Rome, Italy) both releasing shots that soared high, and a Riley Vicinanzo (Vestavia Hills, AL) chance was knocked away by WPI netminder Lili Hellerman (Ashland, MA).
 
After a scoreless first half, both teams came out of halftime eager to put points on the board.  Coast Guard's Mia Forti (Madison, CT) successfully cleared defenders of possession, and redirected the ball to Lulu Vlases (Bozeman, MT) who fired a shot at goal past WPI defenders for her first collegiate goal, giving the hosts a 1-0 edge at 54:48.
 
WPI fought back less than five minutes later to tie the score at 1-1 when Josephine Conlon (Hoboken, NJ) launched a free kick into the box, which landed in front of Adiletta, and the sophomore tipped the ball into net at 59:18 for her second marker of the season.
 
The Engineers netted what proved to be the game-winner when Jess English (Ledyard, CT) launched a free kick to Fadden, who controlled the ball when it landed and and shot far post for her second goal of the week and third of the week at 67:11.


For the match, WPI held a 17-10 bulge in shots while the Bears earned the majority of corners (7-4).  Hellerman recorded five stops for  the visitors while Scharnitzky knocked away a season-high 11 shots for the Bears.
 
Both teams return to play on Wednesday for a conference matchup. WPI ventures home for 4pm game against Springfield, while Coast Guard travels to Smith for a 3pm contest.
 
Recap written by WPI Student Assistant Maya Vartabedian '24 and '25