Marlboro, MA — WPI men's soccer first-year standout Adin Pezo was named the 2025 NEWMAC Rookie of the Year, leading a group of four Engineers recognized with postseason honors as the league announced its annual awards following regular season play. Joining Pezo in postseason recognition are senior Evan Haas (Concord, NH), sophomore Mike Montabana (Jamison, PA), and junior Eli Marden (Shelburne, VT), who each earned All-NEWMAC Second Team distinction.
Pezo becomes the third Rookie of the Year in program history, joining current assistant coach Riley Doherty (2015) and Filippo Marcantoni (2021). The dynamic first-year forward made an immediate impression for the Crimson and Gray, appearing in 18 matches with 13 starts while tying for the team lead with three goals and adding an assist for seven points. the season.
Haas collected his third career all-conference honor and second-consecutive All-NEWMAC Second Team selection after anchoring WPI's defensive unit throughout the 2025 campaign. The senior captain, once again logged heavy minutes at the heart of the back line, organizing the defensive structure while adding a pair of goals and an assist in 18 starts.
Montabana earned his first career All-NEWMAC honor with a Second Team selection. The sophomore midfielder delivered a strong season as he led the Engineers with eight points stemming from three goals and a pair of assists in 18 starts and appearances in all 20 games.
Marden secured his first career all-conference honor with a Second Team selection. The junior defender netted a pair of goals featuring a game winner for WPI in 17 starts this fall.
Pezo, Haas, Montabana, and Marden were instrumental in guiding the Crimson and Gray to an 8-7-5 overall record with a 3-4-1 mark in NEWMAC play. The Engineers posted a 1-0 victory over Salve Regina to secure their spot in the postseason tournament as the fifth seed. WPI continued to advance with wins over No. 4 Emerson in Boston and top-seeded Wheaton in the semifinal to clinch a spot in the NEWMAC Championship where the Engineers fell 1-0 to Babson.
NEWMAC Release
