Sophomore Rachel Wallace (Braintree, Mass.) scored five goals including the game-winner in the second half to lift the Simmons College Lacrosse to an 11-7 non-conference win over host Framingham State University Rams on Wednesday. The game was the Rams' season and home opener as they are now 0-1 on the year, while the Sharks improve to 2-1 on the season with the victory.
With the game tied 2-2 just over midway through the first half, the Sharks scored four unanswered goals, including a pair from Wallace, to take a 6-2 lead with 4:10 remaining. Sophomore Chelsea Temple would pull the Rams within three (6-3) just before the half with her first tally of the season.
The Rams started the second half on a tear, rattling off three goals in the first nine minutes, including a pair from sophomore Louie Rijo to tie the game at 6-6.
Simmons answered with a decisive run of their own to take the lead back for good. The Sharks scored five unanswered goals led by a trio from Wallace, including the game-winner.
Rijo scored late for the Rams to reach the final margin of 11-7. Sophomore Kelly Last (West Haven, Conn.) picked up the win for the Sharks making 19 saves, while Jackie Dupuis made an emergency start in net for the Rams and picked up the loss making seven stops.
Rijo scored three goals in the game for the Rams, while senior Stephanie Corrales added two. Junior Kerry Kiley added a single goal for the Rams, the 100th of her career, off a free position shot in the first half.
The Rams return to action on Friday night in their NEWLA opener at Worcester State beginning at 7 p.m., while the Sharks host St. Joseph's (CT) on Saturday at 1:00pm.