WPI stays on hot streak in field hockey's NEWMAC opener

Jayonna Montigny and Diane Lee try to track down a loose ball during Mount Holyoke's game against WPI on Sept. 21, 2024. (Bob Blanchard/RJB Sports)
Jayonna Montigny and Diane Lee try to track down a loose ball during Mount Holyoke's game against WPI on Sept. 21, 2024. (Bob Blanchard/RJB Sports)

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. -- WPI scored in each quarter en route to a 6-0 win over the Mount Holyoke College field hockey team Saturday in the NEWMAC opener for both teams. 

WPI (4-3, 1-0 NEWMAC) won its third straight game in shutout fashion to go with its highest scoring output of the season.

Mount Holyoke (5-3, 0-1 NEWMAC) goalkeeper Rachel Katzenberg (Reisterstown, Md.) dived to stone back-to-back shots by Abbey Powers and Lauren Meinhold, but Ella Reeners knocked in the second rebound to give WPI a 1-0 lead with 2:15 to go in the first quarter.

WPI went up 2-0 with 11:45 to go in the second quarter on a penalty corner, where Emily Sollecito's entry ball was redirected into the goal by Arie Lang.

The Engineers made it 3-0 before halftime when the ball popped out to Abbey Powers from between a Lyon and an Engineer, and Powers batted the ball bouncing inside the left post.

Sophie Papamechail scored 1:34 into the second half, knocking in an open shot after Katzenberg deflected a shot by Leah Uglevich. Less than three minutes later, a long cross by Papamechail found Eve Martineau for a 10-foot shot that skipped in for a 5-0 lead.

WPI added its sixth goal with 10:35 left in the game, rushing the Lyons' goal on a fast break with Papamechail finishing off a pass from Powers.

WPI outshot Mount Holyoke 24-8 and enjoyed an 11-3 advantage in penalty corners.

Ella Moreau made two saves in three quarters of goalkeeping for WPI. Myles Lakin made one save in the fourth quarter.

Katzenberg made six saves over the first three quarters, and first-year Julia Merriam (Ardmore, Pa.) made two saves with one goal allowed in the fourth quarter.

The Lyons will host Elms College in a non-conference game Thursday at 6pm. The Engineers next play at Trinity (Conn.) Tuesday at 6pm.