Springfield, Mass. - October 1, 2022 - The Springfield College men's soccer program earned its first conference victory of the season with a 1-0 shutout over WPI on Saturday afternoon at Brock-Affleck Field. 

Springfield now holds a 2-5-2 record and 1-2 record in NEWMAC play. WPI still is searching for its first NEWMAC win and falls to 4-2-4 on the year. The Engineers delivered 20 shots in the contest, while Springfield only took five. Each program had six corner kicks in the match. 

Clayton Knibbs (Madison, Conn.) anchored a defense that was sensational in the victory as the senior goalkeeper collected nine saves in the shut out. The performance brings Knibbs' season total to 58 saves, which leads the NEWMAC in that category. 

The Springfield defense marked the WPI attack well in the first half, while the Engineers put four shots on goal in the first 20 minutes. Knibbs made saves on all four attempts including a highlight effort in the 19th-minute to disrupt the WPI forwards and still scrabble back for the diving save, which kept the game scoreless early. At 33:52, Luke Savoie looked to break the gaol drought for the vistors' as he outran the backline, but conencted with the post. Meanwhile, at 36:35, Springfield was awarded free kick just outside the box that Jack Rosenberg (Simsbury, Conn.) stung into the right corner of the goal to put the Pride ahead 1-0. At 41:39, WPI tried again to find the back of the net as Andrew Kovacs broke free, however Martin McDermott (Pearl River, N.Y.) got in the way of the shot to block it from coming in range of the goal. The Pride had a chance to go ahead 2-0 as Rosenberg lined up a penalty kick in the 44th-minute, but Hendrick made a terrific effort to save the try and keep it a one-goal contest at the half. 

In the second half, WPI was eager to tie the game up at 1-1 as the Engineers delivered 12 shots and five on frame. Springfield was maintained its defensive effort from the first half, which made it difficult for the Engineers to get off a clean attempt. In the 84th-minute, Aaron Va delivered the Engineers' best chance of the half from just a few feet away with a flip shot over Knibbs, but it was just a bit strong and lofted over the crossbar. Knibbs closed the game withstanding three shots on goal in the final four minutes to help collect the shutout for the Pride. 

Springfield will travel to Endicott on Tuesday at 7:00. 

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