WORCESTER -- Senior
Maeve Steckley (Irondequoit, NY) scored twice to lead WPI to a 3-0 victory over Springfield in NEWMAC women's soccer action Saturday afternoon at H. Carr Field. The Engineers also received a goal from sophomore
Tiziri Tizi-Ougdal (Acton, MA) and a four-save shutout from junior goalkeeper
Ayla Verheul (Naarden, The Netherlands).
The victory improves WPI to 7-5-2 overall and 4-1-2 in NEWMAC play, while Springfield falls to 3-10 overall and 2-5 in conference action. Combined with Salve Regina's tie against Wellesley, the Engineers move into third place in the NEWMAC standings with two weeks remaining in the regular season, ahead of Saturday evening's Babson-MIT matchup.
WPI took control early, opening the scoring in the 15th minute.
Aliza Margolis (Wakefield, MA) set up Steckley, who finished the opportunity at 14:15 to give the Engineers a 1-0 advantage. WPI carried the lead into halftime after outshooting the Pride 11-3 in the opening 45 minutes.
The Engineers doubled their advantage in the 71st minute when Tizi-Ougdal converted a penalty kick at 70:55, sending the ball into the top left corner.
Asha Comiso (West Hartford, CT) drew the foul that led to the penalty. Steckley added an insurance goal in the 87th minute, finishing a rebound after the Springfield goalkeeper made the initial stop to seal the 3-0 victory.
Verheul played all 90 minutes in goal for WPI, making four saves to earn their shutout of the season while M
allory Forgatch (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) recorded three saves for the Pride. The Engineers finished with a 15-8 advantage in shots and a 6-4 edge in shots on goal. Springfield held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks, while Steckley led the Engineers with three shots, all on target.
Peyton Knott (Leicester, MA) and
Katie McFerran (Selkirk, NY) paced the Pride with three shots apiece.
The Crimson and Gray heads to Boston on Wednesday for a 6pm NEWMAC matchup against Emerson. Springfield is at home the same date, hosting Wellesley at 7pm.
