By Sean Savage
@SeanSav13
SPRINGFIELD – The second half of the women’s soccer NEWMAC quarterfinals opened with end-to-end action and a scoreline of 1-0 in favor of the visiting No. 7 WPI.
Each team was eagerly fighting to live and see another day, and when Maeve Steckley got the ball, she was determined to make that happen for her squad.
With the ball on the right flank 60 minutes into the match, Steckley knew her best option was to send in a cross and hope for the best.
As the ball reached the box, it bounced around before reaching the back post. Mia Gilmore kept the play alive through miraculous hustle, and while tucked against the sideline, she played a ball to Lexi Carim.
Due to Gilmore’s positioning, Taryn Ryan was pulled off her line – leaving Carim with an untroubled finish.
The lead was extended to two unanswered, and the moment played a crucial role in WPI surging past No. 2 Springfield, 3-0, on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The win advanced WPI to the NEWMAC semifinals, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 7 against MIT.
However, the lead and determination to win from WPI were apparent from the gate, as the game’s first goal was scored within a minute.
Katie Adiletta passed the ball to Madisyn Bagby – marking the start of the match – and WPI resorted to a short-short-long combination to advance the ball down the right flank, finding Steckley with a lofted pass, which had Madison Daly flustered.
WPI’s aggressive playstyle earned them their first corner. Tucked in the right corner of the field, Olivia Toolin took a deep breath and connected her laces with the ball almost perfectly – hurling a cross at the penalty spot with the perfect amount of backspin.
Steckley kept her eye on the ball as it traveled closer to her and rose above multiple players in the box before flicking the ball toward the bottom right corner.
The header slipped under Ryan’s left arm, opening the game’s scoring on WPI’s first chance – briefly leaving Brock-Affleck Field silent.
Through the first half, WPI controlled the game – its unmatched pace up front and ferocious pressing forced the Pride into a number of dangerous errors in their defensive third.
Moreover, WPI’s backline halted any ensuing chances coming their way. They shut down eight freekicks, two corners and two shots, all of which didn’t pose a genuine threat to goalkeeper Lili Hellerman.
That was until the final minute of play of the first half. Mia Salmon had the ball on the right flank with space and time afforded, allowing her to scan her teammates who were making a run inside the box.
As she charged up her right leg to kick the ball, Salmon knew Rosie Turbett was her target. She struck the ball toward the back post, and it was such a beautiful pass that fans stood up, letting out screeches of hope.
Turbett battled it out with Rian Fadden, but the clash sent Turbett to the ground with an outstretched arm. As she tumbled on the ground, the Pride felt a jolt of excitement, expecting a penalty – but there was none.
As the half ended, it was clear something had to change, and someone needed to step up for the Pride. Unfortunately, as the seconds of the second half ticked away, no players could find that answer.
Despite chances from Turbett, Jen Walker, Salmon and other teammates, nothing came to fruition through five shots in the second half.
WPI never let up on their thundering press and fluid pieces of interplay, which sparked their third goal with 18 minutes remaining.
Lily Guiliano received the ball inside Ryan’s box unmarked as Springfield and WPI rallied for possession of the ball. However, the showdown left the ball to drift over to Guiliano, who had an easy time tucking away an insurance goal.
As the final buzzer sounded, it marked the end of the Pride’s season – finishing with a record of 9-5-4.
Photo: Springfield College Athletics