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: Field Hockey Captures First NCAA Tournament Win Since 1989
No. 22 WPI delivered a landmark postseason performance on November 12, defeating No. 15 Stevenson 1-0 on the road in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Championship. The victory was the second NCAA Tournament win in program history and the Engineers' first since their initial championship appearance in 1989.
Chloe Luongo scored the match's only goal midway through the second quarter after Lauren Meinhold created the opportunity with a backhanded ball into the circle. Myles Lakin and the WPI defense protected the advantage through sustained second-half pressure, with Lakin making 12 saves to record the shutout and send the Engineers into the national round of 16.
NCAA Tournament First-Round Recap

Senior Day: Seven Engineers Recognized
WPI honored Eve Martineau, Leah Uglevich, Abbey Powers, Lauren Coutu, Arie Lang, Shannon Miranda and Lauren Meinhold before the Engineers' October 11 contest against Mount Holyoke at H. Carr Field at Alumni Stadium. The seven were recognized for the leadership, commitment and lasting contributions they brought to the field hockey program.
The afternoon became a fitting celebration of the group's impact as WPI responded with three second-half goals. Martineau scored the go-ahead tally, Uglevich added the final goal and Meinhold assisted on each of the Engineers' first two scores, helping produce a memorable Senior Day performance.
Senior Day Recap
 

Carolyn McCabe Award Recipient – Myles Lakin
Myles Lakin was selected as the recipient of the Carolyn McCabe Award, which is presented to the outstanding athlete from a women's sport in the sophomore class. Lakin emerged as one of the nation's top young field hockey goalkeepers in 2025, earning NFHCA Region I First Team and NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Year honors while anchoring one of the conference's leading defenses.
The sophomore posted 14 victories and six shutouts, led the NEWMAC with an .863 overall save percentage and helped WPI reach its first NEWMAC Championship game in the conference's current era and earn its first NCAA Tournament victory since 1989. Lakin's poise, toughness and consistency in the biggest moments established the netminder as a leader beyond class year and made Lakin a deserving recipient of the award.
NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Year Release
 

Ray Cherenzia '73 Award Recipient – Shannon Miranda
Senior Shannon Miranda was selected as the field hockey 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.
Miranda's selection recognizes the commitment, selflessness and character shown while representing WPI in competition, in the classroom and in the community. One of seven seniors honored by the program, Miranda also represented field hockey on the NEWMAC All-Sportsmanship Team following the historic 2025 campaign.
 

Additional Season Honors
Arie Lang scored 3:45 into the second overtime to lift WPI past MIT 1-0 on October 21, giving the Engineers their first victory in the series since 2018. Lakin recorded 10 saves as WPI strengthened its position for a NEWMAC Tournament semifinal bye and the opportunity to host the semifinal round.
Double-Overtime Victory over MIT

In the NEWMAC semifinals, Powers scored twice in the opening quarter and Luongo added a fourth-quarter insurance goal as second-seeded WPI defeated third-seeded MIT 3-1. The victory sent the Engineers to their first NEWMAC Championship game and their first conference title contest since 1992.
First-Ever NEWMAC Championship Appearance

WPI received one of 10 at-large bids to the NCAA Division III Championship, marking the program's fifth national tournament appearance and its first since 1993. The selection followed an 8-1 NEWMAC regular season and the Engineers' run to the conference championship game.
NCAA Tournament Selection

Lakin headlined WPI's conference postseason honors as the NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Year. Lakin, Martineau and Meinhold earned All-NEWMAC First Team recognition, while Uglevich was selected to the Second Team.
NEWMAC Postseason Awards

Meinhold and Martineau were named to the NFHCA Division III Senior Team after concluding distinguished careers for the Crimson and Gray. The veteran midfielders were among 60 selections nationally.
NFHCA Division III Senior Team

Lakin, Martineau and Meinhold each earned NFHCA Region I First Team recognition. Meinhold then became WPI field hockey's first NFHCA All-American since 1994 with a place on the organization's Division III Third Team.
NFHCA Region I Honors
NFHCA Division III All-America – Lauren Meinhold

Miranda represented WPI field hockey on the NEWMAC All-Sportsmanship Team, an honor recognizing the student-athlete who best demonstrates the ideals of the conference and its Code of Conduct.
NEWMAC Fall All-Sportsmanship Team

Eleven Engineers earned NEWMAC Academic All-Conference recognition. Meinhold, Coutu, Martineau and Uglevich became three-time honorees; Emma Barton, Madeline Chase, Lakin, Ella Reeners and Sanidi Waduthanthiri were recognized in their first year of eligibility; and Lang and Powers collected their first selections.
NEWMAC Academic All-Conference

Lakin, Martineau, Meinhold and Uglevich were selected to the College Sports Communicators Women's At-Large Academic All-District Team. Meinhold advanced to the national ballot and later earned CSC Academic All-America Second Team honors, becoming the program's first Academic All-American since 2016–2017.
CSC Women's At-Large Academic All-District
CSC Academic All-America – Lauren Meinhold

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 Field Hockey on Instagram (@wpifieldhockey) and X (@WPIFieldHockey) for the latest program news and updates.