HECK MAKES 23 SAVES IN 2-0 SETBACK TO SIMMONS

BOSTON, Mass. – Raegan Heck (Phillipston, Mass.) made 23 saves, but Simmons College defeated Regis College, 2-0, in a non-conference field hockey matchup on Tuesday night. The Sharks move to 3-1 on the season, while the Pride drop to 0-4.

The Sharks took control on offense early with four corners in the opening ten minutes of play. Sophomore Amy Cronin (Groveland, Mass.) and freshman Robin Powell (Richmond, Vt.) each took quality shots but Heck was there for the save.

After a Regis timeout, the Sharks continued their offensive run with point blank shots by senior Seneca Martensson (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and rookie Jillian Mercer (Dartmouth, Mass.) but again, Heck kept the game scoreless. At the 17 minute mark, the Sharks drew three consecutive corners but the Pride's defense led by Kristen Oliveria (Thorndike, Mass.), Kym Kerr (Uxbridge, Mass.) and Yasmine Akib (Everett, Mass.) thwarted the attack.

With just over seven minutes remaining in the half, Regis drew their lone corner of the game as Kerr inputted to the top of the circle to Sashae Walls (Everett, Mass.) for the shot. Walls struck a hard ball to the wide left and the Sharks regained possession. Cronin then dribbled up the right side and sent a cross ball to Kelly Williamson (Natick, Mass.) in the middle. Williamson's shot was denied but teammate Jenna Gagnon (Waterville, Maine) was there for the rebound and another shot. Heck made the save but Gabrielle Henderson (Dover-Foxcroft, Maine) collected the rebound and buried a shot past Heck low stick side for her first collegiate goal and the Sharks 1-0 lead.

Simmons continued to play well in the second half, posting a 10-0 advantage in corners and 16-1 advantage in shots. Seven different Sharks recorded shots during the second half but it was first year Jillian Mercer, who collected a pass from classmate Hailey Bruno-Moulton (South Berwick, Maine) and slipped the ball past Heck in a scramble in front of the Pride's net for the first goal of her collegiate career.

Carolyn Baremore (East Lyme, Conn.) recorded her first win of the year, stopping both shots she faced, while Heck made an impressive 23 saves on the evening in the loss.

The Pride continue the search for their first win of the year on Saturday afternoon when they host Lasell College in a 12:00 p.m. game in Weston, Mass.

Release courtesy of Simmons College Sports Information