WORCESTER -- Freshman Abigail Johnson (Middletown, CT) scored in the 79th minute to push the WPI women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over visiting Union at H.Carr Field at Alumni Stadium on Friday night. The game was the season-opener for both squads.
 
After 78+ minutes of scoreless soccer, Fiona Prendergast (Sudbury, MA) slotted a cross through the defender and found Johnson who launched a long shot and found the back of the net for her first collegiate goal. WPI's defense then locked down for the final minutes, as the Crimson & Gray opened the season with a victory for the 11th-straight season.
 
The Engineers posted a 7-3 shots advantage in the first half, but the game remained 0-0. Despite being out-shot, the Garnet Chargers had the best early opportunity, but an eighth-minute offsides call kept the game scoreless.
 
On the other side of the pitch, Union keeper Maya Koster (Farmington, CT) was busy in the first 45, facing seven WPI chances, making three saves. WPI counterpart, Lili Hellerman (Ashland, MA), meanwhile, saved the only shot on goal from the Union feet.
 
In the second half, WPI's defense withheld a corner kick from Union in the 64th minute, with Hellerman saving a shot from Hannah Sams (Unionville, CT). The stop kept the game scoreless until Johnson broke through with her game-winner 14 minutes later.
 
WPI finished with a 13-6 advantage in shots, 6-5 on goal, while drawing six corner kicks to Unions' three. Both goalies finished with five saves for the game.
 
WPI continues its season opening homestand, as the Engineers host Amherst on Tuesday at 7pm. Union will play another NEWMAC team on the road, traveling to Smith for a 4pm start on Thursday.