Babson Park, Mass. - October 12, 2022 - The Springfield College women's soccer program came away with crucial 2-1 win against nationally-ranked Babson College on Wednesday afternoon in NEWMAC competition. 

Springfield now sits at 7-3-1 with a 5-1 record in the NEWMAC standing. Babson, who entered the week ranked No. 19 overall in the Division III United Soccer Coaches' poll, slips to 8-3-1 with a 2-2-1 record in conference play. The Beavers produced 10 shots on goal, while Springfield aimed seven on frame. The Pride held the edge in corners at 5-3. 

A. Harper (Taylorsville, Utah) put forth another tremendous effort in goal with nine saves. The Theraputic Recreation major has now saved 22 out of their last 24 shots. 

Megan Fedosiewich saved five shots in the setback for the Beavers. 

Springfield used constant pressure to produce scoring opportunities in the first half. At 21:54, Kate Minoudis (Columbia, Conn.) powered her way into the box and got clipped to force a penalty kick for the Pride. Kaleigh Dale (Mansfield, Conn.) stepped into the box and positioned a shot that was intially saved by Fedosivich, however was called off after an early jump from the Babson keeper. Dale lined up the reset and eased it in for to give Springfield the first lead of the game at 1-0. Following the goal, Springfield tried doubling up the edge it had on the Beavers with strong attempts from Dale and Kaitlyn Suller (Oviedo, Fla.), yet none materialized into a 2-0 score. In the 30th-minute, Babson evened up the game as corner pass from Maria Colon Figueroa bounced past the Springfield line for Meredith Greely to turn in past Harper to make a tied game at 1-1. Springfield looked to take a 2-1 lead into the break as Meredith Healy (Niantic, Conn.) got behind of the defense on a fantastic effort, but left the attempt right to keep the at 1-1 into halftime. 

In the 57th minute, Healy sped down the left side and was tripped up allowing for Springfield's second penalty kick of the game. Dale laid in the penalty shot to push Springfield ahead 2-1. Babson tirelessly looked to force the tie as the Beavers began to take hold of possession later in the half. At 72:23, Izzy Lynch found the ball in the middle of the box for a Beavers' try, but Madison Daly (Enfield, Conn.) swarmed to disrupt the shot to go high and hold off the Babson attack. Springfield searched for added insurance with a pair of shots on goal from Suller, but the score remained at 2-1 with four minutes to go in the game. Babson would try for the final time to bring the game to a draw with a shot from Natalie Knauf, but Harper would collect the save to help Springfield knock off its first-nationally ranked team since 2017.

Springfield will turn its focus to another NEWMAC test at WPI on Saturday at 12 pm.

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