NASHUA, N.H. – Simmons soccer (2-2-1, 1-0 GNAC) opened Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action with, 2-0 victory over Rivier University (0-1, 0-1 GNAC), Saturday afternoon.
Once the whistle was blown, Simmons quickly began their attack by having three shot attempts within the first 12 minutes of the match. Rivier also had a pair of scoring attempts throughout the first half which led to a temporary stalemate between the two squads. However, it was the Sharks who had the momentum going into halftime.
Five minutes in the second half, first-year Emma McEwan, broke the scoreless contest by scoring unassisted after a scramble in front of the goal. Then, in the 54th minute, senior captain Riley Wasiuk gave the Sharks a two-goal cushion, scoring in her second straight game with an assist by fellow senior captain Izabella Warren.
The Sharks kept up their intensity for the remainder of the match by outshooting the Raiders, 26-10. With the number of shots coming towards the Raiders' defense, their goalkeeper Julia Cafferty had an impressive 14 saves out of 16 shots on goal. Simmons junior goalkeeper Marita Nothacker also notched five saves to earn her second victory of the season, improving to 2-2.
SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS:
- First-year Emma McEwan scored her first goal of her collegiate career, scoring in the 50th minute to break up the scoreless game.
- Senior captain Riley Wasiuk scored in her second straight game, registering a goal in the 54th minute on.
- Senior captain Izabella Warren's assist on Wasiuk's goal in the 54th was her third assist on the season and is currently second amongst GNAC leaders.
- Junior Marita Nothacker earned her second win of the season, improving to 2-2-1 registering five saves.
GAME NOTES:
- Simmons improves to 14-10-1 against Rivier all-time.
- The Sharks bested Raiders, 26-10, in shots and 7-4 in corner kicks.
Up Next:
Simmons returns to the pitch on Wednesday, September 14 when they host Curry College at 7 p.m.