WORCESTER, Mass. –

Coming into this evening's game, WPI and Coast Guard were riding opposite waves. The Bears went to Worcester on a three game winning streak, after an exhilarating 1-0 win over Salve Regina earlier in the week. The Engineers on the other hand came in reeling, after losing two conference games in a row. While they came in trending differently, they played dead even on the pitch today, leaving with a 0-0 tie in an exciting match.

WPI moves to 9-5-3(4-3-2 NEWMAC) with the tie. They will next travel to Smith College on Wednesday October 29th for a 3:30 game.

Despite the scoreboard showing 0-0 at half, Coast Guard and WPI played vastly different games early. The Bears did not get their first shot off until over 23 minutes into the game when Ella Pottle(Epping, NH) put a shot on goal that Maya Mussel(Oxford, CT) saved. They would finish the half with just three shots, all were on target but saved. WPI on the other hand dominated the time of possession and rifled off 12 shots in the first, with four going on goal. Despite the Engineer's relentless attack, the CGA bend but don't break defense stood strong, with keeper Julia Little(Pensacola, FL) perfect in the first with four saves.

Early on out of the half, both teams came out swinging and were even in nearly every metric. With 20 minutes to go, they each had four shots, three of which were saved. They also each had two corners and two fouls. The first 70 minutes of play set up an exciting final 20 between the teams separated by just four points in the hectic NEWMAC conference standings. 

As the clock trickled down to 10 minutes, the defenses took control of the action, with chances few and far between on both sides. Just under 10, WPI got the game's first corner in over nine minutes but Teal Wasson(Kahuku, HI) got her foot on the attempt to ensure it never had a chance. Two minutes later however, the Engineers did have a strong chance when a Maeve Steckley(Rochester, NY) header had all CGA fans momentarily holding their breath before it sailed just wide of goal.

The final five saw Coast Guard tested like they hadn't been all game. As the clock neared zero, WPI had the ball in front of the Bear's goal for what seemed like an eternity. But as they had all evening long, the Coast Guard defenders were nails, not allowing a single shot. Anchoring that defense were Mia Lambert(Rome, Italy), Teal Wasson, and midfielder Mia Forti(Madison, CT) each of whom played the full 90 minutes. Under a minute to go, Meren Zeliger(Farmington, ME) finally gave the Bears some breathing room with a clear and when Julia Little snatched a long WPI strike out of the air, she secured a point in the NEWMAC standings with a 0-0 tie. 

Little was exceptional in goal, making eight saves including multiple acrobatic stops when it mattered most in the second half. Tonight marks her 5th shutout of the season, which ties for 4th most in program history with four others including her predecessor, 2025 graduate Emily Scharnitzky who did so last season. 

The tie brings Coast Guard to 4-10-3(3-5-1 NEWMAC). After a hard-fought week, they will host Wheaton College on Wednesday October 29th at 6:00 PM in a massive battle against the Lyons of whom the Bears currently sit two points behind in the NEWMAC standings.