Boston, MA ---
Asha Comiso (West Hartford, CT) netted three goals in the final 14 minutes of the opening half as the WPI women's soccer team blanked host Emerson, 3-0, in NEWMAC action Wednesday evening at Rotch Field.
The victory lifts the Engineers to 8-5-2 overall and 5-1-2 in conference play, while the Lions slip to 6-7-2 on the season and 4-4 in the NEWMAC.
Comiso broke the scoreless deadlock at 31:34, converting a penalty kick to put the Crimson and Gray in front. The forward then struck twice in the closing minutes of the half to give WPI a commanding advantage heading into the break.
Caetlyn Embree (Sherborn, MA) helped create the second tally at 42:46, firing a shot from the right channel that Emerson goalkeeper
Hailey Forman (Saratoga, CA) turned aside. Comiso headed home the rebound at the left post to double the Engineers' lead.
Just 1:39 later, Comiso completed the hat trick by heading
Sarah Frye's (Nashua, NH) inswinging corner kick into the far post at 44:25. Comiso finished with three goals on three shots, accounting for all of the evening's scoring.
WPI outshot Emerson 12-3 in the opening 45 minutes and continued to generate chances after intermission.
Abigail Johnson (Middletown, CT) forced a pair of saves midway through the second half, while the Engineers' defense kept the Lions off the scoreboard.
Ayla Verheul (Naarden, The Netherlands) registered four saves over the first 79:13 before
Maya Mussel (Oxford, CT) handled the final 10:47 without needing a stop to complete the combined shutout. WPI also recorded a team save on a
Brady Campbell (North Tustin, CA) attempt in the 58th minute. Forman finished with eight saves for Emerson.
The Engineers closed the contest with a 20-9 advantage in shots and a 7-6 edge in corner kicks. Johnson paced WPI with four shots, including three on target, while Comiso, Embree and
Maeve Steckley (Irondequoit, NY) each contributed three attempts.
The Crimson and Gray travels to Coast Guard on Saturday, October 24, for a noon NEWMAC matchup in New London, CT. Emerson hosts Springfield the same afternoon at 1pm at Rotch Field as part of its Alumnae Game and Senior Day festivities.
Box Score
