BOSTON, Mass. -- Simmons Soccer fell to the #15 ranked MIT Engineers, 1-0 in the Sharks season opener under the lights Monday evening. The Sharks (0-1) hit the crossbar and a goal post during the second half, but were unable to convert for the victory.

In the first half, Simmons goalkeeper Briana Hayes (Manorville, N.Y.) came up a huge with a save on a hard shot from outside the box by Michelle Battipaglia. Just two minutes later, the Engineers offense took control as Michaelann Rodriguez slipped in behind the Sharks defense and drilled Hayes with a point-blank shot but was denied and Simmons cleared their defensive zone.

The Sharks had an opportunity to take the lead when Kristyn Heuslein (Manchester, N.H.) was awarded a corner kick with less than ten minutes to play but the shot went just long. Sophomore defender Issy Verrilli (Naugatuck, Conn.) blocked a shot by Battipaglia and the Sharks escaped five MIT shots in the final three minutes to enter halftime scoreless.

Two minutes into the second half, MIT broke the stalemate as Rodriguez collected the ball on the right side and drilled a high shot past Hayes for the lead. The Sharks rebounded as Desh Perera (Reading, Mass.) slipped a ball through the Engineers defense testing Tamar Weseley in goal. With 33 minutes remaining, sophomore forward Greer Gilbert (Falmouth, Mass.) shot a long ball from the right side and hit the cross bar. After a scramble in front of the MIT net, the Engineers were able to clear and maintain their 1-0 lead.

MIT had a chance to double their lead when Zara Perumal received a pass and drew out the Sharks goaltender. Perumal sent a short pass across the net to Kathleen Chen for an open net but Simmons defender Tegan Dougherty (Northfield, N.H.) was there to make the defensive save for the Sharks.

With 25 minutes to play, Simmons senior Desh Perera danced through a MIT defender and sent a shot toward the goal only to hit the post. MIT defender Samantha Fleischmann was there to collect the rebound. As the physical game continued, both teams posted quality shots but neither were able to score. With under a minute to play, Simmons was awarded a free kick but the shot went high of the goal and time elapsed.

The Sharks travel to Castleton for the Rutland Herald Invitational on Sep. 7-8. Live stats and video will be available for the game on Saturday beginning at 2:00 p.m.