STANDISH, Maine -- The Simmons University field hockey team was defeated by host Saint Joseph's College (Maine) today, 4-0, in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play at the SJC Athletics Complex in Standish, Maine. The Sharks fall to 2-6 overall, including 0-2 in league play, while the Monks, who received votes in the most recent National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll, improve to 8-1 and 3-0.
Saint Joseph's controlled the match, outshooting its guests, 17-5 and took all eight shots in the opening half. The home team also held an 11-6 advantage on penalty corners.
Sophomore midfielder Alexandra Belaire (Greene, Maine) factored into three of the goals for the Monks with a score and a pair of assists.
Saint Joseph's grabbed an early lead when junior midfielder Maddy Beaulieu (West Gardiner, Maine) scored off an Arianna Kahler (Lisbon Falls, Maine) pass off a penalty corner at the 4:59 mark and doubled their advantage in the 20th minute when junior Libby Pomerleau (Limerick, Maine) netted her eighth goal of the year.
Freshman Emma Rutledge (Alfred, Maine) scored with six seconds left in the first half for the Monks and Belaire capped the game scoring with an unassisted marker at the 55:21 mark.
Junior forward Olivia Trull (Lowell, Mass.) led the offensive effort for Simmons with a pair of shots on goal.
Sophomore keeper Lucy McNamara (Brewster, Mass.) made eight saves for the Sharks, while Saint Joseph's senior netminder Megan Baker (Gorham, Maine) stopped all three shots she faced to register her fourth shutout of the season on the 25th of her career.
Simmons returns to action tomorrow when they travel to Waterville, Maine to take on Thomas College at 11:00 a.m., while the Monks return to action on September 24 with a 7:00 PM home game versus Salem State University.