Mount Holyoke Smothered as WPI Women’s Soccer Extends Dominant Run

By Tiffany Williams –

redtexturedeconomynewsyoutubethumbnail_20241128_212704_00008424520492500696465 Mount Holyoke Smothered as WPI Women’s Soccer Extends Dominant Run

WPI didn’t just beat Mount Holyoke on Saturday — the Engineers smothered them. From the fourth minute on, this one was never in doubt, and the 3-0 final might have been merciful considering the shot count.

It started with a corner kick. Jess English swung it to the back post, where Tiziri Tizi-Ougdal was wide open for the header. Four minutes in, WPI had the only goal it would need. From there, it was a 70-minute grind of one team dictating every inch of the field and the other just hanging on.

The Engineers owned possession, outshooting the Lyons 21-2 and unleashing 14 shots after halftime alone. Mount Holyoke didn’t record a single shot on goal. Their keeper, Clarissa Govea, did everything she could with 10 saves, but she was left exposed too often.

The inevitable second goal came in the 76th minute. A free kick from Caetlyn Embree dropped perfectly over Govea and straight to the far post, where Maeve Steckley hammered it home. That was the kill shot. Four minutes from the end, Delaney Mohl slipped a ball into the box, Abigail Johnson shook off the defense, and the rout was sealed.

For WPI, ranked No. 4 in the United Soccer Coaches Region II poll, the win stretched an unbeaten run to five. They’re rolling, and it’s not subtle — 4-0-1 in that stretch, pounding opponents with pace and set pieces that keep finding pay dirt.

Mount Holyoke, meanwhile, is staring at a long season if this keeps up. They’ve now been outscored 8-0 in their first two NEWMAC games and haven’t solved the defensive collapses that leave Govea stranded.

Both squads see Wheaton next, but only one looks like it’s in control of its season. WPI heads to Norton on Wednesday, full of momentum. Mount Holyoke makes the same trip Saturday, searching for answers.