NORTON, Mass. – The third-seeded Wheaton College (Mass.) women's soccer team will host number six seed Babson College on Tuesday, November 3 in the 2026 New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference Championship Tournament Quarterfinals at Mirrione Stadium in Norton, Mass.
The Lyons own a three-game unbeaten streak and have not lost a match in seven of their last eight contests. Wheaton is currently 10-4-3 overall and 7-2-2 in league play. The Lyons are hosting a NEWMAC Tournament match for the first time since 2017 when they defeated Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2-1, on October 31.
Babson enters the game at 7-8-4 and 4-3-4 in NEWMAC play. The Beavers have lost two of their last three games.
Tickets for the match can be purchased HERE. The NEWMAC encourages fans to purchase their mobile tickets in advance of the event to streamline the entry process on game day. Spectators may purchase mobile tickets on site, but no cash option will be available. Ticket prices are $10 for general admission. Children 12 and under and NEWMAC students with a valid institutional ID are free and do not need to purchase a mobile ticket.
Wheaton defeated Babson, 2-1, at Mirrione Stadium in the only meeting between the teams just 10 days ago on October 24. The Lyons netted the first two goals of the match with a marker in each half, before the Beavers got on the board in the 74th minute. Senior forward Mackenna Reynolds (Longmeadow, Mass.) put Wheaton on the board with an assist from sophomore forward Camila Leiva (Warwick, R.I.) in the 31st minute. Leiva found the back of the net in the 58th minute to give the home team a two-goal margin. Junior midfielder Mack Feeney (North Attleboro, Mass.) came off the bench to net the lone goal for the Beavers. Sophomore goalie Olivia King (Simsbury, Conn.) made six saves for the Lyons, while senior keeper Callahan Cottone (Medway, Mass.) stopped two of three shots in the opening half for Babson. Sophomore goalie Maisie Creamer (Boulder, Colo.) denied one of two chances in the second half.
Wheaton is one of the youngest teams in the NEWMAC Tournament with 16 of 26 players graduating in 2029 or 2030. The Lyons' starting lineup often consists of at least eight players who are either a first year or a sophomore.
Wheaton is led by Leiva, who has had a breakout season as arguably the most gifted offensive player in the conference. The second-year phenom leads the league and is 15th in the nation with 15 goals, while placing 18th in NCAA Division III with 36 points. A two-time Offensive Athlete of the Week selection, Leiva stands third with six assists and has also shown a knack for coming through in the clutch with five game-winning scores to top the NEWMAC. She is flanked by sophomore forward Karina Contreras (Pawtucket, R.I.). She ranks seventh in the conference with eight markers and eighth with 18 points. The potent scoring pair is a direct reason for the Lyons ranking fourth in the NEWMAC in goals per game with 2.11. Reynolds has been hampered by injury throughout the season, but is always a threat to score when on the field. Wheaton is also bolstered by All-Region back Maya Thomas (Goffstown, N.H.), who has been so valuable that she's been used in the midfield as well to help support the Lyons' offense. The tenacious senior has two goals and three assists to her credit, while logging a team-high 1497 minutes among field players. Sophomore Kate Rafferty (Westerly, R.I.) has started all 17 matches as part of a key to the Lyons' success – their consistency in the starting lineup with nine players starting 15 or more games. Rafferty has proven to be an asset on set pieces for Wheaton and has a goal and two assists to her name. Junior midfielder Emma-Jane Parsons (Oakland, Maine) has been steady on the ball for the Lyons, while chipping in with two goals and a pair of assists. Wheaton's backline has been formidable, allowing just 1.06 goals per game to rank fourth in the NEWMAC. First year back Alarice Luwaga (North Providence, R.I.) has been an excellent one-on-one defender, while junior Maile Chargualaf (Broomfield, Colo.) has been tough as nails in the backfield with the ability to clear out the ball and snuff out a threat before it becomes dangerous. Sophomore Kaydie O'Neil (Sturbridge, Mass.) has outstanding on the ball skills and is able to push the ball from the backfield to create scoring chances for the Lyons' attacking game. In addition, Wheaton has received key play from first years Zoey Spanish (Portland, Ore.) and Skye Gibbons (Weymouth, Mass.). King has stepped up in her first season as the Lyons' primary netminder with a .825 save percentage and a 1.05 goals against average to place her fourth among league leaders. The sophomore has six shutouts on the season to rank second in the NEWMAC.
Babson ranks sixth in the conference with 1.632 goals per game and is just a tick ahead of Wheaton with a 1.05 goals against mark. The Beavers have been awarded 104 corner kicks for the second-highest total in the league. Babson's top offensive threat is senior midfielder Priscilla-Rose Men-Martin (Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.) with seven goals to stand ninth in the conference. The Beavers have received markers from 14 different players, including sophomore Izzy Lee (Phoenix, Ariz.) with five goals. Lillian McAughan (Bellevue, Wash.) has contributed with four goals and four assists and is one of eight players to have started 16 or more games for Babson. The Beavers backline is anchored by seniors Claudia Baiter (Miami, Fla.), Jadyn Mapura (East Hanover, N.J.) and Caroline Sutherland (Millville, Mass.). Baiter has played all but 47 minutes and is a staple on Babson's backline. Sophomore back Lindsey Cassady (Westfield, Ind.) has started all but one contest for the Beavers, while contributing with a goal and two assists in 1599 minutes. Cottone has started all 19 matches in net for Babson, owning a 1.00 goals against mark to place third in the conference, while boasting a .806 save percentage.
