Simmons Field Hockey earned their first North Atlantic Conference victory over Rivier College, 5-1, on Saturday.  Both teams started the day winless in conference play and with 3 remaining conference games for each team, both needed the victory to give themselves a chance at a playoff berth. With the win, Simmons is now 1-4 in the NAC, while Rivier falls to 0-5 in the NAC.

Simmons got on the board early as sophomore Caitlyn Sweeney (Saugus, Mass.) scored just 4 minutes into the contest to give the Sharks the early 1-0 lead.  Freshman Marianna Brown (Newton, N.H.) scored again for the Sharks at the 19-minute mark to extend the lead to 2-0 and take that score into halftime.

Rivier's Meghan MacDonald added the Raiders lone goal eight minutes into the second half, but Simmons kept the pressure on and found the back of the goal box three more times before the game would end. Sophomore Lee Sutherland (Tuftonboro, N.H.), Brown and senior Emily Sypher (Orono, Maine) would score the final three goals for the Sharks. Sophomore Katelyn Tighe (Easton, Mass.) tallied one assist on the first Sweeney goal, while Sutherland would assist on the final two goals.

Simmons outshot Rivier 26-3 for shots on goal, with Raiders keeper Jenna Beadle able to stop 21 of the Sharks shots.  Simmons' senior keeper Jen Szkolt (Bondsville, Mass.) had two saves on the day. Most of the game was played in Rivier's zone, with the defense unable to get the ball up field to start an attack. 

"We played very well as a team tonight, showing strong communication and smart passing," said Head Coach Kate Leonard. "The energy lagged early in the second half but we were able to regroup and refocus, scoring three quick goals to take it away. The great passing and communication continued throughout the game and we will work to carry that through the rest of the season. Marianna Brown made some great decisions in the circle and really did her job on offense tonight."

Next up, Simmons will host Regis College on Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00pm.