PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The amazing run of the 2022 Simmons field hockey team (16-3) came to a close at the hands of top-seed Johnson & Wales University, 3-1, in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship on Saturday afternoon.  

Simmons drew first blood, scoring in the opening seven minutes of the contest. After being awarded a penalty corner, sophomore Hannah Groves tucked in her eighth goal of the season from senior Haley Dover to give the Sharks the 1-0 lead.

It was short-lived as a minute later the Wildcats scored the equalizer. In a scramble in front of the net, senior Jillian Miele tipped in her 24^th goal of the season from Zofia Bangs and just like that the 2022 championship match was once again tied up and it remained that way into halftime.

When the teams returned to the field at the start of the second half, the Wildcats broke the stalemate a minute into the period. Miele knocked in her second goal on the game along the lower right side from Mei Tobin to take a 2-1 lead.

The Sharks did not go away and continued to swarm Wildcat defenders. Not long after they were presented with the opportunity to tie the game, receiving back-to-back penalty corners, but were unable to put the ball in the back of the cage.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Sharks looked poised to score the equalizer twice. Five minutes into the period, senior Maddie Beckwith ripped a shot off a penalty corner towards goal that was saved by Wildcat goalkeeper Madison Flaxington. Two minutes later, they were presented with another chance, but Dover's shot was stopped by Madison Young.

Just before the end of the game, Johnson & Wales added an insurance goal to take a 3-1 lead and seal the win.

Senior goalkeeper Emma Sheehan got the start in goal for the Sharks and recorded eight saves.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Sophomore Sydney Gonyea, graduat senior Riley Lambert and junior Emilia Elko were named to the GNAC All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the contest.
• Sophomore Hannah Groves scored her eighth goal of the season from Haley Dover off a penalty corner.
• Senior goalkeeper Emma Sheehan registered eight saves in the 60 minutes. 

UP NEXT
The GNAC end of the season awards will be announced on Tuesday, November 8.