WPI Shutout in Pivitol NEWMAC Match-Up Versus Smith
WWorcester, MA--- GiGi Ross (Colts Neck, NJ) scored just 4:58 into the contest and goalkeeper Cody Norris (Auburn, MA) made it stand up, as visiting Smith defeated WPI 1-0 in an important NEWMAC women's soccer contest at Alumni Field on Tuesday evening.
Smith is now 6-7 on the season and improves to 3-4 in conference action while WPI dips to 5-9 overall and 1-6 in NEWMAC play.
The first-year duo of Olivia Mallari (Waterford, CT) and Ross hooked up on a nifty cross early in the contest. Houston played the ball to the front of the WPI net, where it was popped up into the air and volleyed by Ross just over the goaltender's outstretched arms for a 1-0 lead. That goal was her fourth on the season.
After the Pioneers' goal, much of the rest of the first half was played in the Smith defensive zone but WPI was unable to put the ball in the net. Abbie McIninch (Lanexa, VA) and Megan Forti (Lynn, MA) had opportunities midway through the stanza but both shots sailed high.
WPI junior netminder Maddie Willer (Penfield, NY) kept her team in the game late in the first half repelling a great scoring opportunity for Smith. The Pioneers' Aidan Hitt (Arlington, VA) fired a shot on net which Willer deflected high off the cross bar and Houston's rebound header floated just over the bar.
The hosts continued to apply pressure in the second half, taking all nine shots after intermission, including two by Forti in a 54 second sequence midway through the second period.
Norris registered nine saves on the night en route to posting her fifth shutout of the season. Willer made two stops in the complete game effort between the pipes for the Crimson and Gray.
For the game the Engineers held a 20-5 bulge in shots and 7-2 advantage in corner kicks. WPI was led offensively by Forti, who registered six shots and Emily Doherty (Shrewsbury, MA) and McIninch with four and three respectively. Jordan Houston (Providence, RI) paced the Pioneers with two shots.
The Engineers take to the field again when they host Framingham
