Norton, MA --- Eli Marden (Shelburne, VT) headed in a free kick late in the first half and goalkeeper Savio Ketnouvong (Paxton, MA) registered eight saves to propel fifth-seeded and visiting WPI to a stunning 1-0 upset of previously undefeated, nationally-ranked and top-seeded Wheaton in a NEWMAC Men's Soccer Tournament semifinal contest Thursday afternoon on Keefe Field.
                                                                                                
The Engineers, who dropped a 4-0 decision to the Lyons just 15 days ago on the same field and who needed a goal in the final 20 minutes of the regular season to defeat Salve Regina this past Saturday just to qualify for the postseason and then needed overtime Tuesday to dispatch third-seeded Emerson on the road in the quarterfinals, advances to its fifth NEWMAC championship game on Saturday. 

The Crimson and Gray, now 8-6-5 overall, will face second-seeded Babson, a 3-1 winner earlier Thursday at home over Coast Guard.  It will mark the fourth time the two teams will square off in the finals with WPI capturing the title at home in PKs in 2023 and Babson winning the title late in the second overtime in 2019 and in 2014.

Wheaton, ranked eighth in most recent United Soccer Coaches Top 25, falls to 14-1-4 on the season, snapping a two-game winning streak and 21-match unbeaten run, dating back October of 2024.  The Lyons are expected to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament and should draw strong consideration to host the opening two round next weekend.  

Senior midfielder Tora Ito (Hopkinton, MA) set up the lone goal of the day on a free kick just outside of the box on the left side. His serve was headed into the top left corner of the net by Marden with just 4:02 left in the opening half to give the Engineers a 1-0 lead. 

Ketnouvong did the rest for WPI, answering the call again and again. 

Wheaton senior midfielder Aidan Doyle (Kingston, MA) fired a hard shot headed for inside the right post, but Ketnouvong made a diving stop to his left in the 28th minute.
Doyle tested the Engineer keeper again just over seven minutes into the second half, but this time his strike was headed for the left corner of the frame. The result was the same with Ketnouvong stretching for another save with a dive to his right in the 53rd minute of play. Ketnouvong continued his heroics in the 73rd minute to keep his shutout intact. Doyle served a ball into the box for junior back Owen Kane (Pembroke, MA), who directed a ball off the side of his head for the right corner, but the WPI goalie was there again to make the stop. 
 
The Lyons had one final quality chance when Doyle served another ball into the box that senior midfielder Joey Everett (Danbury, CT) headed toward the goal line, but senior back Edward Zazzali (Nutley, N.J.) was able to deflect the attempt away to preserve the victory for the visiting Engineers.

Doyle and sophomore forward Gael Vera (Westminster, MA) paced Wheaton with four shots apiece as part of an 18-5 shooting advantage for the Lyons. Wheaton outshot its guest, 11-1, in the second half, but was unable to find the back of the net. Senior keeper Michael O'Gara (Ardmore, PA) made a pair of saves in the match for the Lyons, who held an 8-3 margin in corner kicks.   

Recap a combination of Wheaton and WPI Sports Information