'It was pure elation': WPI men's soccer team riding unbeaten streak into NCAA Tournament
The NEWMAC men’s soccer tournament final between WPI and Babson came down to penalty kicks, and senior goalkeeper Ryan Martin of Douglas came up huge with two saves during PKs to help lead the Engineers to the championship.
“It’s definitely something that took a couple years off my life,” Martin said, “but we prepared all week for penalties, and we thought if we got there, we would be in a good spot.”
The Engineers (9-3-7) earned their third NCAA Tournament berth under coach Brian Kelley, and WPI, a host site, will face Stevens, a Final Four participant last year, in a first-round game at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at H. Carr Field at Alumni Stadium. Amherst and SUNY Poly play at 11 a.m.
WPI captured the NEWMAC tourney title in 2017 and earned an NCAA at-large berth in 2019.
“They are all very special,” Kelley said. “Since 2019, we’ve sort of been on an odyssey and the world has changed a lot since then, and we are just so grateful to be back in 2023.”
Kelley and his assistants earned NEWMAC Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
The Engineers gathered Monday afternoon at WPI’s Innovation Studio and watched the NCAA Selection Show on the building’s massive display screen. Following the show, the team had a light practice.
WPI began the year 1-3-3, but the Engineers are 8-0-4 in their last 12 games. The Engineers have not lost since Sept. 19.
“In the beginning of the year, we had a lot of new pieces,” Kelley said, “four or five new starters. It took a little while to find the right rhythm. I credit our student-athletes on being committed and focused and balancing all they do, prioritizing their performance as well as the classroom.”
Babson took a 1-0 lead in the first half of Sunday’s final. WPI senior Aaron Vaz tied it at 59:25.
After two overtimes, the game went to penalty kicks. Graduate Francesco Valagussa, sophomore Tora Ito and freshman Franco Bazzini successfully converted for WPI. Martin made a diving save on Babson’s first penalty shot. Later, Babson’s final attempt went over the crossbar and the Engineers prevailed, 3-2.
“It was pure elation,” said Martin, a Marianapolis Prep graduate, “being able to work with these guys for four years and come together this year. It wasn’t always clear cut at the beginning of the season that we would be successful, but our team gelled at right time.”
WPI is 6-0-5 on its home field this season.
“We’re happy and proud of bringing some great college soccer to Worcester this weekend,” Kelley said.
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Surging WPI men's soccer team takes unbeaten streak into NCAA playoffs
