WPI Ruins Salem State's 2023 Debut

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass. --  The WPI Engineers ruined the Vikings' opening day at Alumni Field as they handed Salem State a 7-1 loss. Midfielder Mia Gilmore (Canton, Mass) scored multi-goals as the Vikings slipped to 0-1 on the season while Engineers improved to 1-0.    

Before the game coach Wood talked about what she expected from her team in their first game of the season "We are still only 14 days into the season in terms of playing together and getting to know each other and I think that I expect them to compete as individuals and the goal is to get them start competing as a team…"   

The Engineers started off the game by scoring two goals in the first four minutes of the game as midfielder Mia Gilmore (Canton, Mass) netted the first goal followed by midfielder Madisyn Bagby (Aurea, CO), who was assisted by back defender Lottie McLeod (Newton, Mass). Later in the period, Gilmore scored her second goal of the period with an assist from Lottie McLeod (Newton, Mass).   

With WPI leading 2-0 thirteen minutes into the game, a corner kick by midfielder Olivia Toolin (Bedford, N.H.), prompted back-to-back saves by Vikings goalie Lily Pfefferle (St. Paul, Minn.), who denied WPI a chance to extend its lead.  

The Vikings were down 4-0 at halftime. The Engineers outshout Salem State 20-to-1 in the first half.  

The Vikings were looking to regroup in the second half, unfortunately, McLeod scored to increase the lead to 5-0 in favor of WPI. However, the Vikings started to put pressure on the Engineers' defense. It paid off for Salem State as Anna Latta (Southbury, Conn.) put home her first collegiate goal 61:58 into the game, thanks to an assist from Brenna Paquette (Hudson, N.H.).  

Said Latta after the game, "I was very happy as I wasn't really expecting it to go in since I one-timed the shot, but once I saw it go in, I just turned around and celebrated with my team with a super happy big smile on my face."  

Despite the score, Pfefferle made several outstanding saves in the second half even though the Engineers found the back of the net twice more.   

Coach Wood reflected on the loss after the game, "I don't have words to describe the way Pfefferle played tonight. I know people wouldn't believe it because of the score, but I will standby this statement and say that she was the best player on the field for either team. She made some huge plays over and over at the end of the game where WPI had a flourish of shots and she made four incredible saves."  

The Vikings will be looking to regroup after tonight's loss as they welcome UMass Dartmouth tomorrow afternoon. Game time 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Field.