Full GNAC Release

WINTHROP, Mass. – Simmons College's Greer Gilbert (Falmouth, Mass.) was named to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Lacrosse First Team, while Symonne Fontenot (Portsmouth, N.H.), Kasey Fries (Bridgewater, Mass.) and Stephanie Oliveri (Waltham, Mass.) all received Second Team All-Conference nods, it was announced today by the league. Alexia Malone Oliver (Bristol, R.I.) was also chosen for the All-Sportsmanship team. 

Gilbert was tabbed to the First Team last year as well. The midfielder started all 15 matches and was one of the best all-around players in the conference in 2015. She was one of two players in the GNAC to rank among the league's top five in points (78/4^th), goals (56/3^rd), assists (22/5^th) and draw controls (74/4^th). The junior led the conference with 16 free position goals, while owning a stellar .695 success rate on free position opportunities. She also ranked seventh among league leaders with 25 caused turnovers and 12^th with 47 ground balls. A graduate of Falmouth High School, Gilbert notched at least one goal in every match this season, including 13 of 15 outings with two or more goals and three or more points. The Captain enjoyed a six-match stretch, where she tallied at least six points from March 28 to April 15 and racked up 45 points during the span. Gilbert was outstanding at getting her teammates involved as evidenced by five multiple-assist efforts, including a career-high of six to go with three goals vs. University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) on April 11. The Physical Therapy major also converted five of six free position attempts as part of an eight-goal performance in a 15-14 win at Smith College on March 12. Gilbert began most of the Sharks' scoring possessions, winning four or more draws on 11 occasions and was a major contributor on the defensive end of the field as well, coming up with multiple caused turnovers in seven matches. Gilbert has racked up 182 points on 140 goals and 42 assists in 43 career games – all starts, while picking up 132 ground balls, winning 144 draw control and causing 70 turnovers. 

Oliveri receives All-Conference honors for the third straight season, including a First Team selection last year. The attacker was among the best goal scorers and playmakers in the league, ranking 14^th among GNAC leaders with 34 goals and 11^th with 17 assists for a total of 51 points to place 16^th in the conference. The senior also added 14 ground balls, six draw controls and five caused turnovers in 15 matches, while converting five free position scores. The Waltham High School product netted at least one goal in all but one contest, while scoring multiple markers on 10 occasions. Oliveri closed out the season with 20 points in her last five games, including a six-point effort with a goal and five assists vs. Saint Joseph's College (Maine) on April 18. The Captain finishes her career with 204 points on 127 goals and 77 assists in addition to picking up 96 ground balls in 59 matches. 

Fontenot earns Second Team honors for Simmons as its best defensive player. The defender ranked fourth among all GNAC defensive players and second for the Sharks with a career-high 41 ground balls. The senior started all 15 matches, while coming up with 19 caused turnovers to rank 14^th among all conference players. The Portsmouth High School graduate also chipped in on the offensive end with a pair of goals in as many shots and added an assist for a total of three points. Fontenot is the only Simmons player to have played and started in all 60 matches during her four-year career and has picked up 108 ground balls and 51 caused turnovers during her tenure. 

Fries is just one of three rookies to be named to the GNAC All-Conference squad in 2015 after netting 29 goals and adding six assists for a total of 35 points in 15 matches. The Second Team selection converted six of 12 free position goal opportunities, while adding 27 ground balls, eight draw controls and seven caused turnovers. The first year player started all but one match and gained attention early in the season as the GNAC Rookie of the Week from March 23-29. A graduate of Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, Fries notched at least one point in 13 of 15 matches, including seven multi-point outings. The attacker put together a three-match string where she tallied 15 points, with four goals in each of the matches to go with 10 ground balls and four caused turnovers. 

Malone Oliver finished the season with 16 points, including 13 goals, while starting all 12 matches she played in the midfield for the Sharks. The junior led the team with a 56.5% shot percentage, which also placed her seventh among league leaders with at least 10 goals scored. The Saint Mary Academy – Bay View product also added 26 ground ball, 11 draw controls and caused 11 turnovers. 

Simmons finished the season with a 6-9 record, including 4-5 in league play to finish sixth in the GNAC.