NORTON, Mass. – Simmons field hockey (5-0) is off to their best start in seven years following a 1-0 victory over non-conference Wheaton College (1-4), Tuesday evening. For the first time since 2015, the Sharks have begun the season with a perfect 5-0 mark.

The Sharks and Lyons used the entire first quarter as a feeling out period with both teams having opportunities to break the scoreless tie. Early in the game after earning a penalty corner, sophomore Hannah Groves shot attempt was blocked by the defense. Six minutes later, senior goalkeeper Sarah Arenberg came up big, rejecting a shot off the stick of Wheaton's Lydia Gaudreau.

With the game all square at the beginning of the second quarter, the Sharks managed to break up the scoreless contest midway through the period. Off a corner, senior Haley Dover connected with sophomore Sydney Gonyea in the 22^nd for her, team-leading, seventh goal of the season to put the Sharks up, 1-0. It stood that way for the remainder of the first half as Simmons took the one goal advantage into half time.

Returning to the field at the start of the second half, Arenberg fended off a shot attempt by Mackenzie Yates, while the Shark defense stepped up with big block to keep it a one goal lead. Simmons looked poised to add an insurance goal multiple times in the third quarter. Off a penalty corner, Groves shot was knocked away by Lyons goalkeeper Emma Lapreziosa. Three minutes later, Gonyea and sophomore Anna Tedeschi continue to pepper the defense with shots, but were unable to put one through. 

Arenberg played outstanding in goal for the Sharks, registering four saves. She fought of a fourth quarter comeback by the Lyons to earn her third win and second shutout of the season.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Sophomore forward Sydney Gonyea scored her team- and GNAC-leading seventh goal of the season in the 22^nd minute.
• Senior goalkeeper Sarah Arenberg recorded four saves to improve to 3-0 on the season and pick up her second shutout.
• Senior Haley Dover registered her first assist of the season, connected with Gonyea in the 22^nd minute.

GAME NOTES

• Simmons improves to 5-0 on the young season and is off to their best start in seven years, when they won their first five games during the 2015 season.
• The Sharks avenged a 3-2 overtime loss against the Lyons last season at Daly Field.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to GNAC action on Saturday, September 17 when they travel north to Nashua, New Hampshire to face Rivier University at 11 a.m.