Men's Soccer Knocked off in Final Minutes by Undefeated MIT
Thomas Cucinotta
MIT 1, WPI 0
Worcester, MA --- Jason Zhu (Andover, MA) knocked home a deflection with just 3:10 left in the game to help lift MIT to a dramatic 1-0 victory over host WPI in NEWMAC men's soccer action on Saturday evening. With the win, MIT remains unbeaten and is now 10-0-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play. WPI falls to 5-4 overall and 0-3 in NEWMAC action.
Zhu's goal, his third of the season, gave MIT its sixth straight victory. The Engineers were ranked ninth in New England in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) regional poll and, along with defending national champion Middlebury, Salem State and Norwich, are just one of four undefeated teams in the region.
MIT netminder Tom Caldwell (East Berlin, PA) turned away four shots while registering his fifth shutout of the season. Paul Moan (Watertown, MA) was credited with one save in goal for the home-standing Engineers.
The match was a tightly contested defensive struggle with WPI enjoying a small advantage in shots (10-6) while MIT had slight edge in corner kicks (4-3).
WPI had four players each register a pair of shots on the night. They included Ben Gilde (Manchester, NH), Tommy Zajac (Merrimack, NH), Thomas Cucinotta (Easton, MA) and Mike Ford (Whitman, MA). Christian Therkelsen (Nesbru, Norway) notched a pair of shots for the visiting Engineers.
WPI returns to action on Wednesday with a 3:30pm non-conference match at Framingham State. MIT will also play on Wednesday, hosting a 3:00pm match against Brandeis.