Fitchburg State Clipped By WPI, 1-0

Foster registers career best 12 saves for Falcons in non-conference setback

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's soccer team dropped a hard fought defensive battle against WPI on the pitch this evening, as senior forward Emma Turton delivered the eventual game-winning goal in the 84th minute of play to lift the Engineers to a 1-0 victory at Elliot Field.

With time winding down in the second half, WPI was finally able to crack into the scoring column as Turton settled a through ball from classmate Erin Bracken at the top of the scoring area, before deposited the ball inside the far post for her second tally on the season for the 1-0 advantage.

The Falcons defensive unit stood tall, keeping the game within striking distance. With 13:45 remaining in the first-half, Foster turned away a golden scoring opportunity, diving to her left to punch away a sinking shot as both teams went into the break with the score 0-0.

In the second half, another brilliant defensive effort kept the scoreless draw intact as junior center back Siobhan O'Connell was able to deny a scoring chance from freshman Sophie Gomarlo, whose shot got past Foster.

Fitchburg State nearly knotted the score with 2:13 left in regulation as senior Victoria Floeck lofted a pass over to classmate Ali Sheehan, but WPI goaltender Gabi Hoops was able to corral the ball, resulting in the 1-0 final.

Throughout the contest, WPI finished with a commanding 27-4 advantage in shots, while also holding a 3-0 edge in corner kicks. In net, Foster was stellar for the Falcons, registering a career best 12 saves in 90 minutes of work, while Hoops stopped all four shots she faced en-route to her fourth consecutive shutout to start the season.

Fitchburg State (2-1-0, 0-0-0 MASCAC) returns to action on Tuesday as it travels to Emmanuel for a contest starting at 7 p.m. WPI (4-0-0, 0-0-0 NEWMAC) will host St. Lawrence on Saturday for a 1:30 pm start time. 

Release Courtesy of Fitchburg State student journalist Kyle Prudhomme

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