By Kate Joseph
Staff Writer
The Sharks came out fighting this weekend with all four sports, winning each of their games and matches.
Soccer (3-4-2)
To kick off the weekend’s competition, the Sharks soccer team defeated the Rivier University Raiders, 4-0, at Simmons.
The team took action immediately with Kali DeNisi scoring a goal in under 90 seconds and teammate Erin Montambault following with a second just 28 seconds later.
“I was extrememly proud of the way our team started the match agianst Rivier,” said Coach Erica Schuling. “To go ahead by two goals in under three minutes is impressive.”
Gabriella Davis and Ali Berkman headed a dual effort to put the score at 3-0 before halftime.
The scoreboard sat idle during the second half until Tasha Friedman scored a goal for Simmons with just 68 seconds left on the clock. This was Friedman’s first collegiate career goal and also her first match of the season.
Freshman goalie Casey Halle guarded the net for the entire team, never allowing Rivier to score, her second shutout match of the season.
“We’re in the height of our conference play,” said forward Greer Gilbert. “Our team has a great combination of experienced and first-year players. We also have a lot of depth and players who are versatile and can contribute in many areas of the field.”
Soccer faces Johnson & Wales University (R.I.) at home on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m.
Tennis (7-2)
After competing in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association New England Regionals on Friday and Saturday, the Sharks hit the court to take down Anna Maria 9-0.
During the ITAs, Katie Crowley won her first round consolation singles match on Friday and Meg Cokely and Theresa Reinhard earned the same titles on Saturday.
“I couldn’t think of a better group of girls to call teammates,” said Cokely. “Our first win of the season against Wheaton certainly got us off to a great start and I am beyond proud of them!”
The team continued to impress on Sunday after winning every single match during their matchup with Anna Maria.
Rachael Downey led the team in both first singles (6-2, 6-1) as well as first doubles (8-0), along with Caroline Khoury. Khoury followed behind Downey in second singles (6-0, 6-1).
Tennis hits the court again at Albertus Magnus on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m.
Volleyball (2-10)
The team entered the GNAC Tri-Match in Providence, R.I., on Saturday with a 0-10 record for the season, but were able to walk away with two wins over Anna Maria College (3-1) and Johnson and Wales University (3-2).
“It was a tough start for our team this year,” said Coach Danielle Soubliere. “But we never kept fighting and working together as a team. I think we are starting to see all of our hard work pay off and what it takes to win as a team.”
The Sharks started their first match with a small 5-0 lead, but ultimately fell to Anna Maria in the first set. With the help of middle blocker Emmee Ashby and defensive specialist Chanel Thomas, the team was able to claim three consecutive sets to win the match.
Ashby finished with a match-high 13 kills and was later named GNAC’s Volleyball Rookie of the Week.
“The games were intense and the competition was great,” said Ashby. “Not only did we snag our first two wins of the season, but as a team we were really successful, offensively and defensively.”
When the team hit the court again to face Johnson and Wales, they started off slow, losing the first two sets, but coming back strong to win the last three.
“This season has been unpredictable,” said Ashby, “but we’re just going to keep grinding and moving forward, in hopes to bring a GNAC title home this year.”
Volleyball returns Saturday, Oct. 4, to face MIT and Tufts at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively, both at MIT.
Field Hockey (5-4)
In a shutout game, Simmons Field Hockey defeated Thomas College 3-0 on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Freshman Julie Saltamartini launched the team’s lead with a goal early in the first half and classmate Kelly Ryan followed before halftime to keep the Sharks in the lead.
Saltamartini struck again in the second half with another goal thanks to passing efforts from senior forward Kelly Williamson.
This marks field hockey’s fifth shutout game of the season, and in turn goalkeeper Brianna Rastello was named Field Hockey Goal Keeper of the Week by the GNAC for a league high fourth time.
“We are approaching the heart of our season, which is my favorite part,” said Rastello. “I am really happy with our performance against Thomas. We came out focused and hungry, and we played with fire. My goal for us is to make it to the GNAC championship this year. I know we are more than capable, so it will just come down to how much we want it. And we definitely want it.”
Field Hockey plays Johnson and Wales in Providence, R.I, on Satuday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m.
