Boston, MA --- A 22nd-minute goal from Maeve Steckley (Rochester, NY) held up as the game-winner, as the seventh-seeded WPI women's soccer team (10-6-4) advanced to the NEWMAC Tournament Championship with a 1-0 victory over sixth-seeded Emerson (7-8-5). The Engineers will play for the trophy at top-seeded MIT, 1-0 winners over fourth-seeded Babson, on Saturday at 1pm.
 
After over 21 scoreless minutes, Steckley finished off a feed from Madisyn Bagby (Aurora, CO) in the high right corner of the goal. The score padded her team lead to eight goals on the season, while Bagby's helper was the third this season for the midfielder.
 
Prior to the goal, WPI had a 2-1 advantage in shots, including a low liner off the foot of Olivia Toolin (Bedford, NH) that was saved in the first minute. Emerson counted with two shots in the final 16 minutes of the half but attempts from Maddie Khaw (Portland, OR) and Linaw Bezdek (Frisco, TX) were both blocked by Crimson and Gray defenders, and the 1-0 score stood at the break.
 
The Engineers out-shot the Lions 5-3 in the second half, but neither team found the back of the net. A 70th minute shot from WPI's Katie Adiletta (Bolton, MA) was saved by Emerson's Amara Schaub (Torrance, CA) and another one on target from Steckley in the 82nd minute was also grabbed by Schaub. 
 
Emerson's best chance to score came right before Steckley's, as Bezdek broke through the defense for an attempt that was saved by WPI keeper Lili Hellerman (Ashland, MA).
 
For the game, WPI out-shot Emerson, 8-6, with the Lions holding a 3-2 edge in corners. Hellmerman needed just two saves to earn the victory in net, moving to 10-6-3 overall. Schaub had three saves in the loss, finishing the season at 7-7-5. 
 
WPI will be making its third appearance in the conference title game and first since 2019, with all three matchups featuring MIT as the opponent. The Worcester Engineers took home the 2016 title, while finishing as runner-up in 2019. WPI will look to avenge a 2-0 loss to MIT from the regular season.