DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Powered by a pair of goals in each half of action, the Simmons University field hockey team posted a 4-0 win over UMass Dartmouth in non-conference action on Saturday at Cressy Field. It was the first contest of the season for the Sharks, while the Corsairs move to 1-1 on the season.
Simmons got things going at the 10:42 mark as junior forward Sydney Gonyea passed the ball into the middle of the circle. Classmate Anna Tedeschi was there, spinning to the right as she buried it into the right corner of the cage.
The Sharks made it a 2-0 margin three minutes later as junior forward Emilia Elko fired in a shot from the top left side of the circle that went in for the two-goal lead at 13:03.
UMass Dartmouth saw junior goalkeeper
Hannah Trombly keep things locked at 2-0 as she made a fantastic kick save, stopping a Hannah Groves shot point-blank.
Third quarter action saw the Corsairs with one of their best chances as junior forward
Jenna Carvalho carried it all the way down deep toward the goal mouth. Simmons defense responded, stopping Carvalho as they regained possession.
Gonyea made it a 3-0 advantage for the visitors at the 43:57 mark off a tough play in front. The ball was sent in from outside the circle, but a pileup in front of the goalie caused confusion on both sides. Sophomore defender Zoe Schmaling found the loose ball in the scrum, sending it over to Gonyea as she punched it in.
The Sharks added their final tally at the 54:24 mark as first year Lilly Taglieri sent a long cross in from outside the circle. Schmaling was there at the left corner and one-timed it in for the four-goal lead.
Gonyea paced the effort for the Sharks, firing in nine shots, including seven on goal. She added a goal and an assist. Groves added eight shots, four on goal, as rookie goalkeeper Haley Bright earned the win.
The Corsairs saw Trombly shoulder the loss, recording 11 saves on the day.
UMass Dartmouth returns to action on Thursday, traveling to Salve Regina for a 6:30pm match.
