WELLESLEY, Mass. - Following a scoreless first half, host Wellesley College scored the game's lone goal less than five minutes into the second period to edge the Simmons College women's soccer team, 1-0, this afternoon in non-conference action in Wellesley, Mass. The game was the season opener for both squads as the Sharks drop to 0-1 and the Blue spring to 1-0, earning a victory in their fourth straight season opener.
Wellesley dominated the attacking chances in the game, out-shooting Simmons, 27-7, and pressuring the Sharks to give up 13 corners while not allowing any on the defensive end.
Sophomore forward, Deyanira Ibarra (Los Olivos, Calif.), flicked in the only goal of the match off a cross from junior midfielder, Gabriela Portilla (West Windsor, N.J.), to give the home team a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute of play at 49:43. The marker was the second career goal for Ibarra in her first career start. Senior forward, Melise Knowles (Diablo, Calif.), booted a match-high four shots on frame for the Blue, while Ibarra and sophomore forward, Carley Phillips (Waterford, Conn.), each struck two shots on goal, including the game-winner for Ibarra.
Offensively, the Sharks unleashed seven shots, including three on net. Junior forward, Mikayla Elliot (Lowell, Mass.), classmate, Cíara Forde (Quincy, Mass.) and senior midfielder, Kashka Gammon (Nashua, N.H.) each tallied a shot on goal for the visitors.
Simmons senior goalkeeper, Casey Halle (Watertown, Mass.) notched 12 saves in the match, to record her second career effort with double-digit saves, while falling two shy of matching her career high set last year. Wellesley sophomore keeper, Olivia Reckley (Grosse Ile, Mich.) recorded her first win of the season and fourth career shutout, turning away all three shots she faced.
The Sharks won't have long to wait in search of their first victory of 2017 with an 11:00 a.m. start vs. Newbury College tomorrow at Daly Field to open the home slate. The Blue return to their home turf Sunday, September 3, to host Montclair State University at noon.