Perfectly executed corner gives WPI 1-0 triumph over Salve Regina

Courtesy of WPI Athletic Communications

WORCESTER, Mass. - Madisyn Bagby (Aurora, CO) and Reese Pszenny (Danvers, MA) connected on a perfectly placed corner kick in the waning seconds of the first half to propel the WPI women's soccer team to a hard-earned 1-0 victory over visiting Salve Regina on a cloudy and cool Senior Day on H. Carr Field.

WPI is now 5-4 overall and 2-1 in conference action. The Seahawks slip to 2-2-3 on the season and 0-2 in NEWMAC play.

Prior to the contest, WPI honored its five seniors including Lili Hellerman (Ashland, MA), Kate Stoncius (Litchfield, NH), Molly Vincent (Douglas, MA) Allison Escott (Columbia, CT) and Hannah Wolfgang (Holliston, MA).

The Engineers had the better of the action in the first half, accounting for six of the eight shots in the session and all eight of the corners. Wolfgang nearly gave the hosts an early lead but her shot in the seventh minute was tipped by a defender. With 10 minutes remaining in the half Lily Guiliano (North Salem, NY) got free behind the Seahawk defense but lifted her shot just over the bar.

The hosts finally cashed in the final seconds before intermission after Salve Regina netminder Reagan Moffatt (Denville, NJ) made a nifty save on a Delaney Mohl (Hopewell Junction, NY) shot that led to a corner kick. On the ensuing restart, Bagby placed a perfect corner to Pszenny, who headed the ball into the back of the net for her first career goal at 44:44.

Moffatt kept the guests within a goal early after the break as she snuffed out a bid from Olivia Toolin (Bedford, NH) at 58:22. The second half was tightly contested with WPI holding a slight 5-4 in shots and both teams awarded three corners.

Hellerman was called upon to make three saves on her way to her second straight clean sheet, third shutout of the season and fifth of her career. Hannah Daniewicz (Preston, CT) collected three stops for the guests.

For the match, WPI held an 11-6 edge in shots and an 11-3 bulge in corners. Hannah Daniewicz (Preston, CT) and Marissa Perachi (Washington Depot, CT) each accounted for multiple shots for the Seahawks while Wolfgang paced all players with three shots for the Boynton Hillers.

Each team plays its final non-conference match of the season on Wednesday. WPI closes out a two-game homestand, entertaining Western Connecticut at 7 p.m. while the Seahawks welcome Worcester State to Newport, Rhode Island for a 4 p.m. showdown.