In the consolation game of the 2009 Wellesley Soccer Invitational, Salem State used two first half goals to defeat Simmons, 2-1. The win improves the Vikings to 3-1 while Simmons falls to 3-3-1.
Salem State got on the board ten minutes into the game when Jackie Gauthier (Danvers, Mass.) knocked a thru ball to KatyLyn Verrette (Saugus, Mass.) who put it just out of the reach of the Simmons goalkeeper Ashley Wheeler (Nashua, N.H.). The goal put the Vikings ahead 1-0.
Salem State increased their lead to 2-0 in the 27th minute when Verrette hooked up with Karly Hederson (Salem, Mass.), who knocked the ball in from the far right corner.
At the half, Salem State held a 10-8 advantage in shots with both keepers recording two saves.
Simmons cut the Salem State lead to 2-1 early in the second half when junior Allie Megna (North Hampton, N.H.) scored off of an assist from freshman Justine Beauchamp (Exeter, N.H.). However, Salem's tight defense and five second half saves from keeper Lindsey Burke (Harvard, Mass.) kept the Sharks off the board for the remainder of the game, giving the Vikings the 2-1 victory.
In goal, Simmons' Wheeler split time with freshman Ashley Donaghey (Framingham, Mass.), with Donaghey recording seven saves, while Wheeler had two. For Salem State, Burke got the victory, totaling seven saves.
Simmons will return to action on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00pm at Suffolk.
