BOSTON, Mass. -- Simmons Lacrosse opened their 2014 campaign with a 15-11 victory over the visiting Regis College Pride Saturday morning. Sophomore Greer Gilbert (Falmouth, Mass.) scored a career-high nine goals, while Stephanie Oliveri (Waltham, Mass.) dished out four assists in the win.
The Sharks (1-0, 0-0 GNAC) took a four-goal lead to open the first half as Ali Stonehouse (Keene, N.H.), Oliveri, Alexa Faria (Cumberland, R.I.) and Gilbert beat Pride goalkeeper Emma Decker. Regis' Sam Salamone put the Pride on the board with a goal off of a free position shot but Gilbert responded less than two minutes later to maintain the four-goal lead.
Sashae Wells and Gilbert traded the next two goals before the Pride cut the Sharks lead to two off tallies by Salamone and Grace Politis. Oliveri threaded a pass to Gilbert from behind the net at 13:43 for her fourth goal of the game but the Pride scored two goals in under a minute to cut the deficit to one. With 3:18 remaining in the half, Politis tied the game at seven. Stonehouse and Politis swapped goals before Gilbert gave the Sharks a 9-8 lead into halftime.
Sharks sophomore Ashley Sheehan (North Attleboro, Mass.), who recorded a team-high eight draw controls, beat Decker four minutes into the second half for a 10-8 lead but Stacy Burns collected a pass from Salamone to keep the margin at one. Sharks goalkeeper Crystal Derosier (Kingston, Mass.) made three clutch saves off a free position shot and two crease rolls before Gilbert picked up the ball at half field and beat the Decker for the 11-9 lead.
Salamone scored of a free position shot with 16 minutes to play but Oliveri and Gilbert connected twice and Alexia Malone Oliver (Bristol, R.I.) buried a shot to put the Sharks up 13-10. Politis scored her final goal with less than five minutes to play and Gilbert added two insurance goals as the Sharks went on to win their opening game, 15-11.
Derosier was stellar between the pipes with 21 saves, while Decker posted 13 in the loss. The Sharks held a 29-15 advantage in ground balls and a slight advantage in draw controls, 14-13.
The Sharks return to the field on Tuesday, Mar. 4 at Salve Regina at 6:00 PM. Regis travels to Johnson & Wales University on Mar. 6 for a 1:00 PM start.