Worcester, MA- Two second half goals proved to be enough as the Clarkson University Women's Soccer team dropped a non-league contest to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Saturday afternoon. 

Clarkson draws even at 2-2-2 so far while WPI improves to 3-2-1. The Golden Knights return to Potsdam as they host RIT in their first Liberty League matchup of the year, September 20th at 2 p.m.

Chances were limited through the opening half hour with both teams combining for just four shots. Callie Abel forced an early save in the eighth minute by Ayla Verheul, which also accounted for the only shot on goal early on. Concentrated attacking play from Clarkson earned the Golden Knights two opportunities from corners but a clear breakthrough chance remained just out of reach. Isabelle Wood was untested through the first 45 minutes with all three shots from WPI failing to find the target. 

WPI would come close early in the second half at the 49th and 50th minute mark with both chances coming from corners. The first corner into the box found the head of Maeve Steckley but her shot was blocked out of bounds by a Golden Knight defender. The ensuing corner was swung in and again found Steckley in the box as her shot was met by Wood in goal for the sophomore's first save of the game. The hosts continued to keep the pressure on, finally capitalizing in the 53rd minute to open the scoring. Following a great defensive effort by Riley Irvin to block a near breakaway shot from WPI, Steckley managed to collect the rebound and set up Reese Pszenny to tuck the ball into the bottom left corner to account for the game's first goal.  

WPI would add a second in the 71st minute off a corner kick routine as the ball in from Abigail Johnson was met by a header from Sera Brunner to double the advantage. Clarkson would look to halve the deficit late on as another chance fell to Abel, but her shot found Maya Mussel, taking charge of the second half goalkeeping duties for WPI, just before the final buzzer sounded. 

WPI held an advantage in shots (12-5) and shots on goal (5-2) while Clarkson earned a slim lead in corners (5-4). In net for Clarkson, Wood made three saves, while Verheul and Mussel split duties for the Engineers with both stopping one shot. Lillian Gillett, Rachel McMonagle and Irvin all registered one shot to go along with two from Abel.