A Season of Upsets and Honors
The WPI Department of Athletics has launched a daily series that spotlights the most memorable moments from each varsity program, and the men's soccer team’s story stands out as a testament to resilience and skill.
A pivotal turning point came when the Engineers traveled to face No. 8 Wheaton in the NEWMAC Tournament semifinals. A precise free‑kick from Tora Ito set up Eli Marden’s decisive header, delivering a 1‑0 victory that sent shockwaves through the conference.
Between the final whistle and the celebratory locker‑room chants, Savio Ketnouvong’s eight saves kept the lead intact, while Edward Zazzali’s calm clearance of a dangerous chance in the closing minutes sealed the win.
The program also took the opportunity to honor seven seniors before their home match against Springfield, recognizing a generation that helped reshape the team’s culture and competitiveness.
Individual accolades followed. Adin Pezo received the Charles R. McNulty Award for outstanding freshman performance, and Anthony Coutts was presented with the Ray Cherenzia ‘73 Award, which celebrates the unsung hero who embodies team spirit.
Nikolas Previte’s overtime winner against Emerson in the conference quarterfinals added another highlight, while Evan Haas and Eli Marden earned spots on the United Soccer Coaches All‑Region II Second Team for their consistent excellence.
Academic success was equally impressive. Five engineers earned placement on the College Sports Communicators Academic All‑District Team, fourteen players garnered NEWMAC Academic All‑Conference honors, and Edward Zazzali was named to the NEWMAC All‑Sportsmanship Team for his gracious conduct on and off the field.
The cumulative effect of these achievements has positioned the program as a model of athletic competitiveness paired with scholarly distinction, setting a high bar for future seasons.