BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore forward Haley Dover (West Springfield, Mass.) scored the only goal and junior goalkeeper Lucy McNamara (Brewster, Mass.) made eight saves to lead the Simmons University field hockey team over visiting Wheaton College (Mass.), 1-0, this afternoon at Daly Field in Brighton, Mass. The Sharks have won three of their last four matches and improve to 3-3 on the season, while the Lyons fall to 1-5. 

The teams nearly matched each other in every aspect with Simmons holding a 12-11 edge in shots and a count of six penalty corners for each squad. The Sharks defensive effort was the difference, holding their third straight opponent scoreless on their home turf to extend their unscored upon streak to 180 minutes at Daly Field this season. 

McNamara posted her second straight shutout and the seventh of her career for Simmons, while recording her highest save total in a shutout for her career. Dover's marker pulls her even for the team lead of three with senior forward Oliva Trull (Lowell, Mass.) and sophomore forward Emily Plummer (San Diego, Calif.). 

Dover collected the ball just inside the circle and wound up with a high backswing to deliver a rocket into the right side of the cage with 2:54 remaining in the opening quarter to give the Sharks the only goal they needed for the victory. 

Plummer also supported the offensive effort for Simmons with a match-high four shots. 

Wheaton looked to capitalize on what proved to be its final chance to get on the board late in the fourth quarter. Junior midfielder Hannah Arkin (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) found herself alone inside the circle and looked to convert a backhanded sweeping shot for the equalizer with 3:11 remaining in the contest, but McNamara turned away the attempt to preserve the blank sheet for the Sharks. 

Arkin and sophomore forward Ellie Williams (Wilbraham, Mass.) finished the match with three shots apiece to pace the Lyons offense. 

Senior goalie Morgan Karnes (Durham, Maine) turned back seven shots for Wheaton, while sophomore midfielder Becca Harmon (Farmington, Maine) registered a career-best two defensive saves. 

Simmons returns to action on Saturday, September 21 when it travels to Nashua, N.H. to take on Great Northeast Athletic Conference rival Rivier University at 5:00 p.m., while the Lyons head to South Hadley, Mass. to play New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference foe Smith College on the same day at 1:00 p.m.