The WPI Department of Athletics is proud to continue its 2025–2026 Athletics Celebration, a daily series highlighting the top moments from each varsity program's season. The celebration will also recognize each team's Ray Cherenzia '73 Award honoree and selected programs' major award winners, as chosen by WPI Athletics' head coaches.

Top Moment: Engineers Return to the NEWMAC Semifinals with Quarterfinal Triumph
Sixth-seeded WPI delivered one of its defining performances of the 2025 campaign on November 4, defeating third-seeded Emerson 2-1 on the road in the NEWMAC Tournament quarterfinals. Abigail Johnson and Maeve Steckley each recorded a goal and an assist as the Engineers earned a return trip to the conference semifinals.

Johnson opened the scoring in the 11th minute after combining with Steckley, and the pair reversed roles less than two minutes into the second half when Steckley finished Johnson's pass for the eventual game-winner. Goalkeeper Ayla Verheul made three saves, including a key late intervention as Emerson pressed for an equalizer. The victory sent WPI to the NEWMAC semifinals for the fifth time in nine seasons and gave the Engineers another memorable postseason result away from home.
Recap

Senior Day: Four Engineers Honored Before Salve Regina Match
WPI celebrated seniors Reese Pszenny, Fiona Prendergast, Bailey Allmon and Delina Chávez before its October 11 home match against Salve Regina at H. Carr Field at Alumni Stadium. The four were recognized for their commitment, leadership and contributions to the women's soccer program.

The afternoon offered a fitting showcase of the standard the senior class helped establish. Katie Adiletta scored in the 29th minute, Caetlyn Embree supplied the service that created the chance and Maya Mussel recorded her first career complete-game shutout as the Engineers secured a 1-0 NEWMAC victory.
Senior Day Recap
 

Ray Cherenzia '73 Award Recipient – Fiona Prendergast
Senior Fiona Prendergast was selected as the women's soccer program's recipient of the Ray Cherenzia '73 Award. The honor is presented to a member of each varsity team who exemplifies the spirit of an "unsung hero"—someone who works hard every day, puts the team first over personal goals and performs the often-unrecognized responsibilities that are vital to the team's success.

Prendergast's selection recognizes the commitment, selflessness and character she demonstrated while representing WPI in competition, in the classroom and in the community. One of four seniors honored by the program, she also earned her third career NEWMAC Academic All-Conference selection following the 2025 season.
 

Additional Season Honors
Jess English, Maeve Steckley and Sera Brunner collected All-NEWMAC postseason honors. English earned First Team recognition, while Steckley and Brunner were named to the Second Team after helping WPI post 11 victories and advance to the conference semifinals.
All-NEWMAC Postseason Accolades

The same trio received United Soccer Coaches All-Region II recognition. English was selected to the Second Team, while Brunner and Steckley earned Third Team honors. English later added United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-East Region Third Team recognition, pairing her defensive excellence with a 3.58 cumulative GPA as a mechanical engineering major.
United Soccer Coaches All-Region II
United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-East Region – Jess English

Reese Pszenny was chosen for the 2025 New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association Senior Bowl. She became the 11th selection in program history and one of 28 NCAA Division III student-athletes invited to the event.
NEWISA Senior Bowl – Reese Pszenny

Five Engineers—Bailey Allmon, Madison Shaw, Katie Adiletta, Jess English and Maeve Steckley—were selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Women's Soccer Team. English and Steckley were repeat honorees.
CSC Academic All-District Release

Sixteen WPI student-athletes earned NEWMAC Academic All-Conference recognition, tying for the third-most selections in the conference. Bailey Allmon, Delina Chávez, Fiona Prendergast and Reese Pszenny each received the honor for the third time, while Katie Adiletta, Maggie Drawz, Jess English, Madison Shaw and Maeve Steckley were repeat selections. Maya Mussel, Ayla Verheul, Emma Fitzgerald, Katie Pierce, Caetlyn Embree, Madisen McLeod and Delaney Mohl were first-time honorees.
NEWMAC Academic All-Conference

Maggie Drawz represented WPI women's soccer on the NEWMAC All-Sportsmanship Team. The honor recognized her hard work, passion and integrity, along with the welcoming and supportive presence she brought to teammates, opponents, officials and visiting fans.
NEWMAC Fall All-Sportsmanship Team

The 2025–2026 WPI Athletics Celebration will continue with features highlighting each of the Engineers' varsity programs. Follow WPI Athletics on Instagram (@wpiathletics), Facebook and X (@WPIAthletics) to keep up with the series.

Fans can also follow WPI Women's Soccer on Instagram (@wpiwomenssoccer) and X (@WPIWSoccer) for the latest program news and updates.