WORCESTER – The WPI field hockey team picked up a key conference win on Saturday afternoon, topping visiting Springfield 3-1 in NEWMAC action at H.Carr Field.

The Pride struck first less than a minute into the contest when first-year Clare Moore (New Preston, CT) buried a deep shot from the top of the circle at the 0:59 mark of the opening period. Springfield carried its 1-0 advantage into the second quarter before the Engineers found their equalizer.

Just over 27 minutes into the match, graduate student Lauren Meinhold (Boxboro, MA) broke through on a solo effort, dribbling into the circle and slotting home a low finish to even the score at 1-1 heading into halftime.

WPI seized control in the fourth quarter with a quick pair of goals less than a minute apart. Senior Leah Uglevich (Maynard, MA) pushed the hosts in front in the 48th minute, cleaning up a rebound after a setup from classmates Abbey Powers (Halifax, MA) and sophomore Sanidi Waduthanthiri (Hopkinton, MA). Moments later, sophomore Emma Barton (Hopewell Junction, NY) doubled the advantage, finishing a cross from sophomore Madeline Chase (Danvers, MA) at 48:35 to make it 3-1.

From there, the Crimson and Gray defense locked in, keeping Springfield off the board the rest of the way to seal the victory.

The Engineers held a 16-9 edge in total shots and a 10-8 margin in shots on goal. Both teams attempted five penalty corners. Sophomore goalkeeper Myles Lakin (Reading, MA) registered seven saves in the victory for WPI, while Springfield's Kaitlyn Parent (Glastonbury, CT) matched with seven stops of her own.

With the win, WPI improves to 7-2 overall and 2-0 in NEWMAC play, while Springfield slips to 5-4 on the year and 1-1 in conference action.