Cass Novello Scores Game Winner in 1-0 Win over WPI
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
WPI (7-3, 2-1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Wellesley (4-3, 3-0) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Sophomore Cass Novello (Scotch Plains, N.J.) scored her first career goal, which proved to be the game-winner in a 1-0 shutout over WPI on Saturday at Butler Stadium.
It was the second shutout victory for Wellesley this season, as the Blue improve to 4-3 overall and remain perfect (3-0) in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference play. WPI (2-1) drops its first conference game of the year and falls to 7-3 overall.
The Engineers put pressure on the Blue early in the first quarter, firing up two shots within the first five minutes but both went wide. Sophomore Alex Lenart (Princeton Junction, N.J.) put up a shot on goal that was saved with just six seconds remaining in the quarter, as the game remained scoreless. Both teams stepped up defensively in the second quarter. WPI and Wellesley each put up just one shot in the period as the game went into halftime at a 0-0 draw.
The Blue finally got on the board late in the third, scoring off a goal from Novello. The play was set up by first year midfielder Rose Weseley (New York, N.Y.) who earned her first career assist. It was the first goal of the season and collegiate career for Novello and gave the Blue a 1-0 lead.
WPI would not go down without a fight, firing off multiple shots in the final quarter. Eliza Dutson (Woodstock, Conn.) took two shots in just five seconds, but both were saved by keeper Kyra Deehr-Lewis (Newtown, Pa.). Lewis finished the contest with six saves.
At the 52:52 mark in the fourth quarter, WPI drew a penalty stroke and sent Dutson to take the shot. Dutson's shot was saved as Deehr-Lewis once again came up clutch and the Blue continued to hold the 1-0 lead. The Engineers were not quite finished, drawing two penalty corners with less than ten seconds left. However, the Blue defense held strong and put WPI away.
Wellesley continues its homestand in a match with Nichols on Wednesday, October 6, at 7:00 PM. WPI stays on the road and will meet Babson on Wednesday, October 6, at 6:00 PM.
