WORCESTER -- Autumn Simon (Sharon, MA) netted her first collegiate goal to account for all the scoring as Babson defeated host WPI 1-0 in a matchup of NEWMAC undefeated women's soccer teams on a sun-soaked H. Carr Field at Alumni Stadium on Saturday.
 
With the victory, the Beavers, ranked fourth in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Region II poll, improve to 4-1-4 overall and 3-0 in conference play while the Engineers, who were third in the last Region II rankings dip to 7-3-2 on the season and 2-1-1 in NEWMAC play.
 
The first half was devoid of scoring opportunities as there were no shots attempted by either team until WPI's Sera Brunner (Littleton, CO) uncorked an attempt in the 32nd minute.  Action picked up in the final 10 minutes before intermission and the visiting Beavers broke through when back Rylie Wesley (Norfolk, MA) collected a loose ball at midfield and lifted a pass past the Engineer defense to a streaking Simon, who chipped it over the WPI netminder and into the middle of the goal at 41:13.  It marked the rookie's first college goal and Wesley's first career assist.
 
Strong defense continued to rule the day in the second half.  Arguably, the Engineers had the best opportunity of the final 45 minutes when Tiziri Tizi-Ougdal (Acton, MA) got past the Babson defense but her shot missed just to the left of the post and visitors held on for the 1-0 victory.
 
Callahan Cottone (Medway, MA) was credited with three stops in net for Babson, earning her first victory of the season and fifth shutout of her career while Ayla Verheul (Naarden, Netherlands) made pair of saves for the Engineers. 


The hosts held a slight 8-6 edge in shots with eight different players launching shots, including on-net attempts by Maeve Steckley (Rochester, NY), Caetlyn Embree (Sherborn, MA and Reese Pszenny (Danvers, MA). The Beavers were awarded four of the match's five corner kicks. 
 
WPI is off until next Saturday due to A term final exams.  The Crimson and Gray will host Salve Regina at noon.   Babson is back at it on Wednesday, hosting Clark at 3pm.