BOSTON, Mass. -- In its final match as Simmons College, the Sharks opened their season with a 1-0 loss to visiting Wellesley College in the season opener for both teams this afternoon at Daly Field in Brighton, Mass. Simmons falls to 0-1-0 on the season, while the Blue improve to 1-0-0.
The match was the last played as Simmons College for the Sharks before the school officially becomes Simmons University on September 1.
Wellesley controlled possession of the ball for the majority of the contest, owning a commanding 18-2 shot advantage.
Sophomore back Maddie Lee (Los Angeles, Calif.) netted her first collegiate goal to give the Wellesley College the winning margin. Lee tallied the game-winner for the Blue at the 18:49 mark of the opening half when junior forward Emily Tran (Vienna, Va.) lifted a cross to the top of the box, where Lee gathered the ball and lifted a shot into the back of the net for the team's first marker of the season. The winning score followed a corner kick for the visitors.
Seniors Cíara Forde (Quincy, Mass.) and Mallory Cottam (Hope, R.I.) each fired a shot to lead the Sharks' offensive effort.
Junior keeper Olivia Reckley (Grosse Ile, Mich.) turned away the only shot she faced to earn her 11th career shutout for Wellesley, while senior goalie Lauren Williams (Bowdoinham, Maine) made a career-high 10 saves for Simmons.
The Sharks return to action tomorrow afternoon when they head to South Hadley, Mass. to take on Mount Holyoke College at 1:00 p.m., while the Blue welcome Lesley University for their home opener on September 2 at 12:00 p.m.