PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Going on the road to face the defending Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Champions, Simmons field hockey (8-3, 4-3 GNAC) fell Johnson & Wales University (11-0, 7-0 GNAC) on Friday evening.
Knowing goals were going to be elusive, the Sharks defense was on their A-game. Fending off three Wildcat penalty corners opportunities in the first quarter the two squads battle each other to a 0-0 tie at the end of 30 minutes.
When they teams returned the field at the start of the second half, Johnson & Wales was quick to capitalize on a penalty corner. Simmons first-year goalkeeper made a beautiful stop off the stick of Kaitlyn Freeman, but the Sharks were unable to clear the ball out as Ava Pontes knocked in the rebound to give the Wildcats the 1-0 lead.
The Sharks were resilient and never back down. Junior forward Sydney Gonyea opened the fourth quarter with a pair of shots within the first three minutes. Later in the period, Simmons was awarded a penalty corner opportunity, but sophomore Zoe Schmaling's shot was blocked by the defense.
Despite receiving the loss, first-year goalkeeper Haley Bright played solid in goal registering three saves in 60 minutes.
SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS
- First-year goalkeeper Haley Bright recorded three saves in goal.
- Junior forward Sydney Gonyea registered two shots, including one on goal.
- Juniors Hannah Groves and Alison Michalik and sophomore Zoe Schmaling also recorded shots in the contest.
UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the field on October 10 when they travel to Chicopee, Massachusetts to face Elms College at 7 p.m.