Springfield, MA --- Senior
Nikolas Previte (Andover, MA) scored in the 85th minute to lift WPI men's soccer to a 2-1 NEWMAC victory over Springfield on Saturday night at Irv Schmid Sports Complex. The Engineers scored once in each half and finished strong to secure their second win of the season.
WPI improves to 2-5-5 overall and 2-0-2 in NEWMAC play with the victory. The eight points put the Engineers in a three-way tie atop the standings with Babson and MIT with seven teams with three points of the top of the table. Springfield falls to 5-7-1 overall and 2-3 in conference action.
WPI took the lead in the ninth minute when
Anir AitDowd (Harvard, MA) found the back of the net at 8:04.
Danyil Kovryzhenko (Merrimack, NH) provided the assist as the Engineers grabbed an early 1-0 advantage. WPI continued to create chances during the opening half, finishing with 14 shots and five corner kicks before the break.
Springfield pulled even shortly after halftime. At 47:26,
Kam Brown (Freehold, NJ) scored off a combination from
Cole Sampson (Hingham, MA) and
Evan Memoli (Barrington, RI), tying the match at 1-1. Both teams looked for the go-ahead goal in the ensuing minutes before WPI found the decisive breakthrough late in regulation.
With just over five minutes remaining, Previte delivered the game-winner at 84:52.
Nathan Araujo (Holliston, MA) and
Noah Amorim (Weymouth, MA) were credited with assists on the goal, which put the Engineers ahead 2-1. WPI held on through the final minutes to secure the road victory.
Savio Ketnouvong (Worcester, MA) made three saves in goal for WPI. Springfield goalkeeper
Tommy Fenton (East Hampton, CT) recorded four saves. The Engineers limited the Pride to one goal despite 15 shots, including four on target.
WPI finished with a 22-15 advantage in shots and a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. The Engineers also held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
WPI returns home Wednesday, October 21, to welcome Wheaton to Worcester for a 7pm kickoff.
