Engineers Sneak by Bears in OT

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Junior Emma Turton's goal in the 96^th minute gave WPI a 2-1 overtime victory over Coast Guard in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action.

With the loss the Bears drop to 5-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play. The Engineers improve to 3-1-1 in NEWMAC competition and 9-2-1 overall.

WPI came out in the first half on the offensive as Turton slipped through on the right side and sent a shot to the far post. Freshman goalkeeper Rachel Boohar lunged to her left and made the diving save to end the threat.

Senior Emily Doherty was the next Engineer player to test Boohar when she found space on the left side of the field and put a shot on goal. Doherty's shot was stopped by junior defender Katie Clark who cleared the ball out of danger.

In the 20^th minute Doherty received the ball again in the middle of the offensive third of the field and dribbled to goal. Doherty was able to hold off Clark and fired a shot past Boohar for her conference leading 15^th goal of the season. The goal was also the 34^th of Doherty's career passing Megan Forti for second all time in WPI history.

Coast Guard had their best chance of the first half late in the period when senior Hanna Hansson lined up a free kick from the top of the Engineers penalty box. Jansson let loose a shot but put it over the crossbar and out of play.

At the start of the second half the Bears wasted little time knotting the game up at one as senior Caroline Eastman hit a cross to the back post from the right side of the field. The ball sailed over junior goalkeeper Abbey Teliska to freshman Olivia Holt. Holt redirected the ball with her chest into the back of the net for her third goal of the season just 31 seconds into the period.

The half continued to be a defensive affair until junior Brianna Grisell was able to touch a ball pass a WPI defender. Grisell ran down her touch and sent a looping shot towards goal that was out of the reach of Teliska but just wide of the net.

The Engineers had the final scoring chance of regulation when sophomore Karina Larson lined up a free kick from the top of the Bears 18 yard box. Larson snapped a hard shot towards goal, but sent it just high as it skimmed the top of the cross bar and out of play.

The game headed to overtime where in the 96^th minute senior Julia Macleod found Turton with a diagonal pass on the right side of the field. Turton took a touch to control and sent a rocket into the upper right corner of the goal for the game winner and her fifth of the year.

Boohar (4-5) faced 19 shots, 10 on goal, making eight saves and allowing two goals. She is fifth in the conference with 46 saves on the year.

Teliska (9-2-1) earned her ninth win of the season making two saves on 11 shots, three on goal, allowing one goal. Freshman Gabbi Hoops spelled Teliska for 5:33 stopping the one shot on goal she faced.

The Bears return to action on Saturday, October 10^th, when they travel to Babson Park, Massachusetts for a NEWMAC game against the Babson Beavers. Kickoff is 12:00.