BOSTON, Mass. -- Simmons soccer held on late in the second half to defeat the Norwich University Cadets, 5-4 in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference battle Wednesday evening. Justine Beauchamp (Exeter, N.H.) and Kristyn Heuslein (Manchester, N.H.) each scored two goals for the Sharks (9-7, 8-4 GNAC).

The Sharks took a 1-0 lead at 3:44 in off a long shot by Heuslein. Strong play by the Cadets (5-8-2, 3-6-2 GNAC) kept Simmons goalkeeper Amber Verrill (Windham, Maine) on her toes but she was flawless, stopping all three shots she faced. Beauchamp doubled the Sharks lead at 39:51 to give Simmons a comfortable lead heading into halftime.

Norwich cut the lead in half just 2:39 seconds into the second stanza when Brittany Casey slipped a low shot past Sharks goalkeeper Briana Hayes (Manorville, N.Y.). But the Sharks offense rebounded as Beauchamp tallied her second of the evening just two minutes later.

Cadets midfielders Sara Goes and Baylie Lamarre each tested Hayes but the Sharks were able to transition back to offense as Meredith Riker (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) and Heuslein added two more, to give the Sharks a 4-1 lead with twenty minutes to play.

Norwich made a comeback attempt, led by Casey, who scored two goals and assisted on another by Bianca Bogda in the final two minutes but the Sharks were able to hang on for the conference victory.

The Sharks held a slight advantage in shots 28-23 and saves 10-7, while both teams were awarded six corner kicks.

Simmons returns to action next Wednesday, October 24th when they host Wellesley College at 7:00 p.m. for their last regular season home game.