Women’s Soccer Defeats Wheaton, 1-0, in NEWMAC Semifinal

Courtesy of Wellesley College Sports Information

WELLESLEY, Mass. – Alisha Lussiez’s goal in the 20th minute was all MIT needed as it held on for a 1-0 victory over Wheaton College in NEWMAC semifinal action on Saturday. The win was the Engineers’ first over the Lyons since 1994 and it gave them their first championship appearance since 2002. The timely victory snapped Wheaton’s string of 10 consecutive title game appearances in the 12-year history of the NEWMAC.

The No. 3-seeded Cardinal and Gray improved to 11-5-2 overall and will take on No. 4 Springfield College in the final on Sunday, Nov. 8 at Wellesley College. Wheaton ended the 2009 campaign with a 17-3-2 record.

Lussiez's goal came after Emily Kuo's first attempt at the net was blocked. Kuo then corralled the rebound and passed it to Lussiez who knocked home the game-winner.

MIT goalkeeper Meghan Wright held off an impressive charge from Wheaton, as the Lyons out-shot the Engineers, 24-7. However, Wright collected 11 saves in the contest to secure the 1-0 shutout win. For Wheaton, Lindsay Leddy tallied five saves in the loss.