Simmons Field Hockey traveled to Maine for back-to-back North Atlantic Conference matches, the first conference games of the season for the Sharks. Simmons faced Thomas College on Saturday, and University of Maine – Farmington on Sunday. In both matches, Simmons started out strong, but ultimately fell to the Terriers 3-1, and to the Beavers 3-2. Field Hockey is now 1-8 overall, 0-2 in the NAC.
Simmons vs. Thomas
After a slow start, Simmons got on the scoreboard from a smart Emily Sypher (Orono, Maine) goal. Sypher was able to beat the goalie one on one to take the 1-0 lead for the Sharks, who played well together with an aggressive offence through the first half.
Halfway through the second period, Thomas scored 3 goals in quick succession on a few defensive breakdowns. Simmons collected themselves in the end, but by then it was too little too late.
Sophomore Kelly Fisher (Yarmouth, Maine) played her best game of the season, tallying two shots and dominating the midfield for the Sharks.
"Thomas had a great second half and caught us on our heels," said Head Coach Kate Leonard. "They played a very physical game, and we need to work on focusing on our own play no matter what."
Simmons vs. Maine-Farmington
After a rainy, sloppy first half, the Sharks' offense came to life. We climbed out of a 1-0 deficit after halftime to sit at 2-1 early in the second period. Freshman Brigid Rushe (Belmont, Mass.) quickly followed up a goal by Sypher, with Lee Sutherland (Tuftonboro, N.H.) on both assists with smart, quick passes. UMF rallied back, scoring 2 goals to close the game. Both goals followed scrappy scrambles in the circle, in which Simmons just couldn't get their sticks on the ball.
Senior Jen Szkolt (Bondsville, Mass.) was solid in goal, continually turning away aggressive UMF offenders. Rushe gave the Sharks some much-needed fire off the bench and sophomore Sasha Reilly (Wilmington, Mass.) made some smart decisions in the midfield, coming up with a key defensive save in the second half.
"With a little confidence and some more communication, I know we will be able to get and maintain the lead in these close, tough games," said Leonard.
Simmons will take to the field again on Thursday, October 1 when they travel to Western New England College for a 7:00pm game.