BOSTON, Mass. – Simmons goalkeeper Ashley Wheeler (Nashua, N.H.) and the Simmons defense of Mandy Walke (Danvers, Mass.), Jen Prescott (Hyde Park, Vt.), Meredith Riker (Cape Elizabeth, Maine), and Katie McCarthy (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) were an impenetrable wall as the Sharks defeated the Emmanuel College Saints 2-0 in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference match Friday evening at the Winsor School Field.

The Sharks began the first half determined to pressure the Saints defense early. Junior midfielder Ally Ayotte (Litchfield, N.H.) struck a ball from outside that went just high at 15:47. Sophomore Kristyn Heuslein followed on attack, shooting a free kick that soared over Saints goalkeeper Jessica D'Ottavio and into the back of the net at 25:47 to put the Sharks up by one.

With seven minutes remaining in the half, Emmanuel saw its best chance at an equalizer on a shot by Darcey Sullivan when Wheeler misplayed the shot. However, keeping composure, Wheeler came out of the scrum with the ball, denying the Saints a goal.

Early in the second half, the Saints were able to get several offensive looks to even the contest but they were all denied by Wheeler. The best shot to tie the game came just over 15 minutes into the second stanza when junior midfielder Brittany Ridge one-timed a comebacker from about 30 yards out that hit the crossbar and deflected out of bounds.

Heuslein would increase the Sharks lead to 2-0 with her second goal of the contest at the 63:29 mark when she converted a free-kick from 25-yards out. The sophomore hit a solid strike towards the upper-90 of the Saints goal that just dipped under the crossbar and into the side netting, giving Simmons an insurance goal with 26:31 remaining in regulation.

Wheeler notched her third shutout of the year making 11 saves while junior keeper D'Ottavio recorded 20 saves for the Saints in the loss. The Sharks enjoyed a 22-11 advantage in shots on goal, and a slight advantage in corner kicks, 4-3.

The Sharks return to action Wednesday against Suffolk in a GNAC conference game while the Saints travel on Monday, October 11 when to face cross-town rival Emerson College at 1:00 p.m.