By Tiffany Williams –
WORCESTER, Mass. — Defense and goalkeeping ruled the night as WPI and Coast Guard battled to a scoreless draw Saturday in a NEWMAC women’s soccer clash under the lights at H. Carr Field.
WPI goalkeeper Maya Mussel of Oxford, Connecticut, and Coast Guard’s Julia Little of Pensacola, Florida, each turned in standout performances, finishing with eight saves apiece to keep their teams even after 90 minutes of physical, end-to-end play.
For WPI, ranked fifth in the latest United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Region II poll, the result pushes the Engineers to 9-5-3 overall and 4-3-2 in conference play as they continue to position themselves for postseason contention. Coast Guard, which came in riding a three-match winning streak, saw that run snapped but managed to extend its unbeaten streak to four, moving to 4-10-3 overall and 3-5-1 in NEWMAC competition.
The night carried more meaning than just soccer. Both squads wore blue in a pregame show of unity to raise awareness for colorectal cancer and to honor WPI head coach Steph Riley-Schafer, who has been open about her battle. Fans were reminded of the importance of colonoscopy screenings for anyone over 45 and encouraged to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The message was clear throughout the evening — no one fights alone.
On the field, WPI’s attack applied steady pressure but couldn’t crack Little, who anchored a Coast Guard defense that refused to break despite long spells of possession by the Engineers. WPI outshot Coast Guard 20-12, including an 8-8 deadlock in shots on goal, while also holding a narrow 6-4 edge in corner kicks.
Katie Adiletta of Bolton, Massachusetts, led all players with five shots — four on target — and constantly threatened from the midfield, forcing Little to make several key stops. Maeve Steckley of Rochester, New York, and Sera Brunner of Littleton, Colorado, each added multiple chances, while Coast Guard’s Anabelle Pezzullo of Ashaway, Rhode Island, and Arwen Wise of Weatherford, Texas, led the Bears’ push in transition with three shots apiece.
For long stretches, WPI dictated the rhythm, moving the ball with patience and precision, but Coast Guard’s back line stood firm, closing lanes and clearing out danger when it mattered most. The Bears’ resilience under pressure and Little’s quick reflexes kept the Engineers from turning dominance into goals.
Mussel, meanwhile, delivered clutch saves on the other end, including a sharp stop midway through the second half to preserve the clean sheet. Her command of the penalty area and poise in traffic set the tone for WPI’s defensive shape, helping the Engineers secure their seventh shutout of the season.
As the final week of the NEWMAC regular season looms, both sides look to solidify their footing before tournament play. WPI heads west to face Smith College in Northampton on Wednesday at 3 p.m., while Coast Guard returns home to New London for a 6 p.m. matchup with Wheaton.