Williamson Lifts Sharks over Lasers, 3-2 in NAC Field Hockey Action

BOSTON, Mass. -- Junior Kelly Williamson (Natick, Mass.) collected a blistering shot in front of the net from first year Jenna Gagnon (Waterville, Maine) and then beat Lasers goalkeeper Taylor Sheehan left side to lift the Sharks to a 3-2 victory over the Lasell College Lasers Tuesday night in North Atlantic Conference action.

BOSTON, Mass. -- Junior Kelly Williamson (Natick, Mass.) collected a blistering shot in front of the net from first year Jenna Gagnon (Waterville, Maine) and then beat Lasers goalkeeper Taylor Sheehan left side to lift the Sharks to a 3-2 victory over the Lasell College Lasers Tuesday night in North Atlantic Conference action.

 

Simmons (8-7, 2-3 NAC) took an early 1-0 lead as sophomore Amy Cronin (Georgetown, Mass.) inserted the ball on a Sharks corner to Gagnon, who crushed a shot past the Lasers defense for the lead. Lasell tied the game at 17:10 into the first half as Samantha Smithers beat Brianna Rastello (Salem, N.H.) stick side.

 

Midway through the first half, the Sharks capitalized on another penalty corner as Cronin sent the ball to Robin Powell (Richmond, Vt.) at the top of the circle. Sheehan made the save on Powell's attempt but first year Mary Neidhardt (Middlefield, Conn.) was there for the quick pass left to Cronin for the goal.

 

In the closing minutes of the first half, the Sharks were awarded four consecutive penalty corners but the Lasers defense cleared the zone as time expired.

 

With ten minutes to play in the second half, Lasell converted on a penalty corner as Ainslee Thompson inserted the ball to Ashlee Pechulis for the equalizer. The Sharks regained possession and quickly tested Sheehan with three shots by Williamson, Neidhardt and Gabrielle Henderson (Dover-Foxcroft, Maine). Simmons was awarded a corner with 61:13 that was broken up by Jen McGurgan but Gagnon forced a turnover and sent a blistering shot into the Lasers circle. Williamson received the ball and buried the shot past Sheehan for the go ahead.

 

The Lasers had their final opportunity off a point-blank shot by Smithers that deflected across the goal but Simmons first year Amy Wilson (Falmouth, Mass.) made the game-saving defensive save to ensure the Sharks victory.

 

Simmons held a 22-9 advantage in shots and an 11-3 advantage on penalty corners, while Rastello picked up her second win the year making four saves while Sheehan recorded 15 in the loss.

 

The Sharks return to action on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Thomas College at 11:00 AM. The Lasers host Framingham State on Oct. 17 at 4:00 PM.