WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  – Simmons soccer (0-5-1, 0-3-1 GNAC) ran into a tough University of St. Joseph (Conn.) (4-2-0, 4-0-0 GNAC) on the road, Saturday afternoon. 

The Blue Jays entered the game with an unblemished conference mark at 3-0, which the Sharks were looking to disrupt that. However, USJ was able to break the scoreless tie early with Kelsi Ursini finding the back of the net in the 17^th minute. Not long later, they increased their lead when Ursini added an assist, connecting with Jelly Frigo to give USJ the 2-0 advantage.

However, the Sharks were not giving up and continue to fight tough. Early in the second half, the Simmons defense was tested, facing three straight corner kicks. But fortunately they were successful at limiting the damage and knocking the ball away.

Midway through the second half, USJ widened the spread, scoring in the 61^st minute. This did not phase the Sharks. Late in the half, the Sharks looked poised to erase the shutout, being awarded a corner kick. First-year Lauren Krupnikoff took the corner for Simmons, but the Sharks were unable to convert it into points.  

Making her fifth start in net, first-year goalkeeper Julia Rodgers registered four saves.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the pitch on Wednesday, September 20 when they travel to New London, New Hampshire for a GNAC tilt against Colby-Sawyer at 4 p.m.