WORCESTER, Mass. – A first career goal from
Waverly Meyers '26 and clean sheet from
Juliette Vemmer '25 in her first career start, proved enough for the Wesleyan women's soccer team to defeat WPI 1-0 in the 2023 season opener. Wesleyan is 1-0 for the third straight season, having not allowed a goal in any of those contests, while the Engineers fall back to 1-2 in 2023.
Playing in her 18
th career game as a Cardinal, Meyers found the back of the net for the first time in her career with a deft finish in the 30
th minute. Receiving a pass just outside the box from
Stefanie Stoj '26, Meyers took a wonderful touch that put her defender out of position. With the WPI center back lunging for a dispossessing tackle, Meyers kept possession with the ball on her left foot. Even with open space in front of her, Meyers decided to take an early shot on the unsuspecting Engineer keeper, lofting a perfect shot into the upper right corner.
That Meyers goal, which proved to be the game-winner in the 1-0 result, came in support of Vemmer who made four saves in what was the first start in her career at Wes. The junior keeper was tested early as Madisyn Bagby took a couple of attempts on-target in a span of 1:07, but both were stopped by Vemmer less than six minutes into play.
Audrey Lavey '23 nearly put one in a few minutes after Bagby's attempts in the 12
th minute, as Lavey's shot floated just over the crossbar. Another scoring chance following nearly seven minutes later when
Kerenza Leahey '27 belted a rocket towards the left post but was cleared off the line by WPI back Bailey Allmon.
The second half was dominated by the Cardinal defense, limiting the WPI chance to just four shots with only one landing on-goal in the 82
nd minute, which was easily secured by Vemmer at the right post.
Vemmer was credited with four saves en route to registering the shutout. Wesleyan outshot the Engineers 18-10 on the night and enjoyed a 7-1 edge in corner kicks.
The Cardinals turn their attention to NESCAC play this weekend, starting with a trip up to Colby on Saturday for an 11 AM start.