Wellesley, MA ---
Madisen McLeod (Ledyard, CT) scored the game-winning goal in the second half and goalkeeper
Ayla Verheul (Naarden, The Netherlands) logged her second shutout of the season as WPI women's soccer earned a 1-0 NEWMAC victory over Wellesley on Wednesday afternoon at Wellesley Soccer Field.
The victory improves WPI to 6-5-2 overall and 3-1-2 in NEWMAC play. Wellesley falls to 5-6-2 overall and 2-3-1 in conference action.
McLeod netted her first goal of the season at 68:44 to break the scoreless deadlock and give the Engineers the lead. WPI protected the advantage over the final 21 minutes to secure the shutout victory.
The Engineers and Blue battled through a scoreless first half, with WPI generating seven shots. Verheul made one save before halftime to keep the match even.
Wellesley applied pressure after the break, recording 11 second-half shots, but Verheul and the WPI defense held firm. Verheul made four additional saves in the second half, finishing with five stops for the shutout. McLeod's goal proved to be the difference as the Engineers converted their opportunity and held on for the win.
WPI finished with a 17-16 advantage in shots and led 7-5 in shots on goal. The Engineers also held a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.
Abigail Johnson (Middletown, CT) led the Engineers with four shots, while
Caila Scully (Merrimack, NH) and
Madisen McLeod (Ledyard, CT) each recorded three.
Maeve Steckley (Irondequoit, NY),
Delaney Mohl (Hopewell Junction, NY) and
Caetlyn Embree (Sherborn, MA) added two shots apiece.
Olivia Lore (Blue Bell, PA) recorded six saves for Wellesley.
The Crimson and Gray returns home Saturday to host Springfield at 3pm at H. Carr Field at Alumni Stadium. Wellesley next travels to Salve Regina on Saturday for a 1pm matchup.
