BOSTON, Mass. -- Simmons sophomore Amy Cronin (Georgetown, Mass.) scored four minutes into overtime to lift the Sharks to a 2-1 North Atlantic Conference win over the visiting New England College Pilgrims Saturday afternoon. The Sharks are now 11-7 overall and 5-3 in the conference, while the Pilgrims fall to 3-15 and 2-7 in the NAC.
Despite a scoreless first half, both teams had quality chances. Ten minutes into the game, Simmons first year Gabrielle Henderson (Dover-Foxcroft, Maine) dribbled through three defenders on the right side and sent a hard cross to Kelly Williamson (Natick, Mass.) in the circle for a shot but Pilgrims goalkeeper Courtney Duquette was there for the save.
At 17:45, New England College's Kristen O'Connell sent a hard ball across the Sharks net to a wide open Carissa O'Brien but the shot went just wide of the Simmons cage. The Pilgrims had another opportunity with six minutes to play as Kelly Metz tried a reverse sweep shot but Sharks goalkeepr Renna Smith (Belfast, Maine) denied the attempt.
Simmons took a 1-0 lead just over ten minutes into the second half when the Sharks were awarded a stroke. First year Amy Wilson (Falmouth, Maine) beat Duquette low right side for the go ahead. First years Mary Neidhardt (Middlefield, Conn.) and Jenna Gagnon (Waterville, Maine) each tested Duquette in the second half but were unable to convert.
With under a minute to play, New England made a quick transition in the midfield as Patricia Wright found O'Connell in the circle, who beat Smith for the equalizer, forcing the game into overtime.
After a flurry of shots by the Sharks in the opening minute of the third period, Simmons was awarded a corner. Cronin inputted the ball to senior Seneca Martensson (East Longmeadow, Mass.) who passed the ball back to Cronin on the end line. Cronin drew Duquette off her post and then buried the game-winner inside the near post.
Renna Smith made eight saves in the win while Duquette recorded 27 in the loss. The Sharks held a 37-13 advantage in shots and a commanding 13-0 advantage in penalty corners.
Simmons closes out the regular season tomorrow at home against Husson University at 1:00 PM. New England College hosts Southern Maine on Oct. 29 at 4:00 PM.