WORCESTER --- WPI men's soccer battled to a 1-1 tie with NEWMAC foe Babson in a rematch of the 2024 NEWMAC Men's Soccer championship on Saturday afternoon.
The Engineers and Beavers were ranked 22 and 20 respectively in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 heading into today's contest. With the tie, the Crimson and Gray are now 5-2-1 and Babson sits at 3-0-4.
Both groups exchanged shots throughout the first stanza before Babson's
James Donaldson (Kirkland, Quebec) got a header off of a free kick that was steered away by
Julian Quaresima (East Meadow, NY). The Engineers then responded with a
Fabio Bastida-Andreeu (Logrono, Spain) header that hit the crossbar keeping the match even.
Tora Ito (Hopkinton, MA) recorded the final look in the first half but strayed wide to head into the locker room scoreless.
WPI recorded its initial shot on frame in the second half stemming from a
Codey Battista (Northbridge, MA) throw-in that was knocked back and he connected with
Aaron Vaz (Medford, MA) who hit the crossbar off a volley.
Brady Burch (South Deerfield, MA) then headed a ball that crept through
Walker White's (Coral Gables, FL) hands and was cleared off the line by
Liam Goldstein (Princeton, NJ) to keep the hosts off the board.
James Modiano (Montclair, NJ) had the next quality shot at Quaresima but was unlucky to connect as the Engineer netminder kept the ball clear.
Anthony Previte (Andover, MA) then took advantage of a corner kick opportunity for the Crimson and Gray as
Evan Haas (Concord, NH) headed the ball right outside the six-yard box and was finished off by Vaz who headed in the final touch for the go-ahead goal in the 61st minute.
Ted Rosenfeld (Morristown, NJ) and
Alexander Yablonovskiy (Berkeley Heights, NJ) recorded shots in attempt to tie up the tilt but were blocked by the hosts defense and saved by Quaresima. Babson's
Samuel Kalishman (Clarksville, MD) corner kick was knocked up into the air and Goldstein was able to head it over a charging Quaresima to tie up the match with just 1:38 remaining.
WPI and Babson concluded the match tied at 1-1 and finished equal in shots on the afternoon with 13 apiece with the visitors having the edge in getting shots on frame at 5-3. Babson outnumbered the Engineers in corner kick opportunities 7-2.
The Crimson and Gray and the Beavers turn to non-conference matches on Tuesday as WPI will face Wentworth at 7pm and Babson will host Amherst at 4pm.
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