BOSTON, Mass. -- Simmons senior Desh Perera (Reading, Mass.) tallied twice off of high shots from the 25-yard line to lead the Sharks past the Smith College Pioneers in a 4-0 victory Wednesday evening.
After twenty minutes of predominately midfield play, the Sharks broke the stalemate as Perera collected the ball at the half field and sent a rising shot toward the goal. The ball sailed over Pioneers goalkeeper Alanna Lynch and the Sharks took a 1-0 lead.
Just two minutes later, the Sharks struck again as junior Keri Acheson (Peabody, Mass.) found an opening in the box and beat Lynch low left side. With 17 minutes remaining in the half, Simmons goalkeeper Briana Hayes (Manorville, N.Y.) protected the Sharks lead, making a point blank diving save on Smith forward Lily Eriksen. The Pioneers followed with a corner kick by Innis Hitt, which resulted in a shot by Aidan Hitt, but Hayes was there for the save.
In the opening minutes of the second half, both teams had quality changes as first year Tegan Dougherty (Northfield, N.H.) tested Lynch and Ericksen shot a low ball just wide of the Sharks net. Marissa Pellegrino (Northampton, Mass.) drilled a ball of the left post but the Pioneers were able to clear the zone.
Eight minutes into the second half, sophomore Ali Berkman (Natick, Mass.) sent a high shot top center and beat Lynch for a 3-0 Sharks lead. Simmons defender Issy Verrilli (Naugatuck, Conn.) spoiled a breakaway opportunity by Eriksen three minutes later before Perera tallied her second goal of the night on another high shot from the 25-yard line.
The Pioneers had another breakaway opportunity when Jordan Houston slipped past the Sharks defense. Hayes came sprinting out of the goal and made a sliding save to keep the shut out intact.
Simmons held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks and a 19-16 advantage in shots. Hayes made 11 saves for her second win of the year while Lynch and Shannon Saywell combined for nine saves.
The Sharks return to action on Saturday, hosting Mount Ida College at 1:00 PM in the opening of Great Northeast Athletic Conference play.