NASHUA, N.H. – Simmons field hockey (6-0, 2-0 GNAC) is one of only 17 teams amongst the 437 NCAA Division III teams across the nation, who remain undefeated, following a 4-0 shutout of Rivier University on Saturday morning. It is their fourth straight shutout of the season and first time since the 2015 season, the Sharks accomplished the feat.
The Sharks drew first blood, scoring off their second penalty corner of the game nearly six minutes into the contest. Junior Izzy Sciplini connected with sophomore forward Anna Tedeschi for her fourth goal of the season to give the Sharks the 1-0 advantage.
Midway through the second quarter, Simmons was in full control of the contest. Leading the team in all statistical categories and the GNAC in goals and points, sophomore forward Sydney Gonyea gave the Sharks a two-goal cushion, scoring her eighth goal of the season on a pass from sophomore Hannah Groves.
After taking a 2-0 lead into halftime, the two teams battled throughout a scoreless third period before Tedeschi scored her second goal of the game at the 50-minute mark. With three minutes left, graduate senior Riley Lambert found Gonyea in front of the net for her ninth goal of the season and to give the Sharks a 4-0 lead.
Making her third start of the season, senior goalkeeper Emma Sheehan played all 60 minutes in goal to improve to 3-0 and earn her second shutout on the season. The Taunton, Massachusetts native registered three saves in goal.
SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS
- Sophomore forward Sydney Gonyea recorded her third two-plus goal game this season, tallying a pair of goals in the 22nd and 57th minute. She currently is the nation's leader in points per game averaging 4.50 points per game.
- Fellow sophomore Anna Tedeschi also netted a pair of goals, scoring the game winning in the fifth minute. She is second amongst the Shark leaders with five goals on the season.
- Senior goalkeeper Emma Sheehan earned her second shutout of the season, improving to 3-0 after making three saves.
GAME NOTES
- Simmons snapped a two-game losing streak against Rivier with today's shutout victory.
- Last time the Sharks shutout four straight opponents was in 2015: Mount Ida College (W, 7-0, Oct. 23), New England College (W, 5-0; Oct. 27), Johnson & Wales (W, 3-0, Nov. 4), Saint Joseph's College of Maine (W, 1-0, Nov. 7)
UP NEXT
Simmons breaks from conference play when it hosts Salve Regina on Wednesday, September 21 at 5 p.m.