WPI Advances to NEWMAC Women’s Soccer Semifinals
BOSTON, MA — WPI’s women’s soccer team achieved a significant victory over Emerson, winning 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the NEWMAC Women’s Soccer Tournament. This match, held on Rotch Field, saw the sixth-seeded Engineers prevail against the third-seeded Lions, mirroring their past success against the same opponent in last year’s postseason.
Game Highlights
- Maeve Steckley from Rochester, MA, and Abigail Johnson from Middletown, CT, each contributed significantly by scoring a goal and providing an assist.
- Both teams entered this matchup after contrasting seasons, with WPI boasting an eleven-win season record at 11-6-3, while Emerson concluded with a record of 9-7-4.
Scoring Breakdown
The action began early in the first half; WPI opened the scoring at the 10:07 mark. The play commenced with Katie Adiletta from Bolton, MA, winning a contested ball at midfield and relaying it to forward Madison Shaw from Cheshire, MA. Shaw then connected with Steckley, who assisted Johnson’s impressive strike past the Emerson goalkeeper for her eighth goal of the season.
As the second half commenced, WPI continued its momentum by scoring again just 1:52 into the period. Johnson made a brilliant run, threading a pass to Steckley, who deftly dodged the goalkeeper and netted her seventh goal of the year.
Pressure from Emerson
After WPI established a 2-0 lead, Emerson sparked a determined response with several attempts to draw level. A notable near-miss came when Rowan McCrary from Saratoga, CA, struck the right post during a promising offensive play. Shortly after, final moments of the match saw Zoe Simmons capitalize on a pass from Presley King to score, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.
With less than ten minutes remaining, Emerson nearly equalized, but Kaylin O’Meara’s shot from the right box was skillfully deflected by WPI’s goalkeeper Ayla Verheul from Naarden, Netherlands, preserving the Engineers’ lead as Emerson’s last substantial opportunity of the match slipped away.
Goalkeeping and Overall Performance
Verheul tallied three saves in the winning effort for WPI, while Emerson’s Hailey Forman from Saratoga, CA, was credited with eight saves despite the loss. WPI held an advantage in total shots, outshooting Emerson 16 to 11, with 10 of those on target.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, WPI is set to advance to the semifinals, facing second-seeded Springfield, who triumphed 4-2 over Coast Guard in their quarterfinal match. The semifinal showdown will take place on November 6, 2025, at 7 PM.
WPI’s successful run reflects their resilience and strategic prowess, sending them into the semifinal with confidence and anticipation of what lies ahead.
