CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Simmons lacrosse (0-1) opened up the 2023 against a tough, veteran MIT (2-0) team, 21-5, early Wednesday evening.
The Engineer offense was quick to the start, opening with seven goals in the first period, while equally being match on the defensive side. Playing tight defense on the Sharks throughout the first quarter, the Engineers forced three failed clear attempts to keep Simmons off the point.
MIT grabbed another pair of goals to start the second quarter to increase their lead. But despite facing a large deficit, the Sharks did not let it phase them and played aggressive on offense in the second quarter.
Midway through the period momentum appeared to have shifted with Simmons scoring four unanswered goals. After juking a defender at the top, junior attacker Cameron Richards buried a shot into the lower corner to put the Sharks on the board. And it ignited the Simmons offense.
After first-year goalie Molly Rioux rejected a shot on goal by MIT's Ellie Rabenold, the Sharks went into offensive attack mode. Following a successful clear attempt, graduate student Abby Stoller drove to the goal and fired a bullet into the back of the net for the Sharks second goal.
The Sharks were far from done. Senior midfielder Emi Boedeker won the draw which lead to a quick free position goal by Stoller to cut the Engineer lead to six. Two minutes later, junior midfielder Marita Nothacker earned herself a free position opportunity and easily converted to bring the Sharks to within five of the lead, 9-4. But it was as close as they would get.
Making her first collegiate career start, Rioux played outstanding in goal making several magnificent saves to keep the Sharks in the contest.
SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS
- Junior attacker Cameron Richards scored the first goal midway through the second quarter, coming around the back of the net.
- Graduate student Abby Stoller led the Sharks in goals, scoring a pair in the second quarter.
- Junior midfielder Marita Nothacker was the third Shark to find the back of the net in the second quarter, scoring on another free position.
- Senior Emi Boedeker led Sharks with eight draw controls
- Junior Maggie Callender registered two caused turnovers
UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the field on Saturday, March 4 when they travel to Newport, Rhode Island to face non-conference Salve Regina University at 1 p.m.