EAST BOSTON, Mass. – The Simmons University women's soccer team was defeated by host Suffolk University, 2-0, this afternoon in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference opener at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park.  The Sharks fall to 0-4-1 overall and 0-1-0 in league play, while the Rams improve to 3-1-0 and 1-0-0.

The loss marked the first Simmons defeat to Suffolk since the Sharks fell, 1-0, on November 5, 2013 in the GNAC Tournament Semifinals.

Suffolk held an 18-12 shot advantage and a 3-2 edge on corner kicks, while netting a single goal in each half. 

The Rams broke into the scoring column in the 24th minute when junior midfielder Liv Hurley (Newburyport, Mass.) played the ball in and forced a save from the Simmons keeper. Sophomore back Alyssa Barahona (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) arrived for the rebound and found the empty net for her first collegiate goal and a 1-0 lead 23:26 into the action.

The Sharks looked for the equalizer 10 minutes later off a corner kick, but first year back Riley Wasiuk's (Rutland, Mass.) shot was turned away by the Suffolk keeper to keep the visitors off the board.

Suffolk added to its advantage in the 69th minute when junior forward CaitlinRyan (Hull, Mass.) put away her second goal of the year. Junior forward Caleigh O'Brien (Wilbraham, Mass.) carried the ball down the right side and found Ryan with a low cross that she tapped into the upper netting for a two-goal edge.

Wasiuk led the Simmons offense with three shots, while first year keeper Melanie Colman (Holliston, Mass.) made six saves. Sophomore goalie Allison Rodrigues (North Andover, Mass.) stopped all six shots she faced for the Rams to record her third shutout of the season and seventh of her career.

The Sharks return to action on Wednesday, September 18 when they travel to Providence, R.I. to take on GNAC foe Johnson & Wales University at 7:00 p.m., while Suffolk heads to New London, N.H. on September 21 for a GNAC showdown at Colby-Sawyer College at 1:30 p.m.