BOSTON, Mass. - The Regis College women's lacrosse team opened up their 2014 campaign with a 15-11 loss to Simmons College on the road. The Pride's Grace Politis (Billerica, Mass.) and Sam Salamone (Milford, Mass.) combined for eight goals and five assists in the losing effort. 

Sophomore Greer Gilbert (Falmouth, Mass.) scored a career-high nine goals, while Stephanie Oliveri (Waltham, Mass.) dished out four assists to lead the Sharks in the victory. 

Simmons (1-0, 0-0 GNAC) took a four-goal lead to open the first half as Ali Stonehouse (Keene, N.H.), Oliveri, Alexa Faria (Cumberland, R.I.) and Gilbert beat Pride goalkeeper Emma Decker (Southborough, Mass.). Salamone got the Pride on the board with a goal off of a free position shot, but Gilbert responded less than two minutes later to maintain the four-goal lead.

Sashae Walls (Everett, Mass.) and Gilbert traded the next two goals before the Pride cut the Sharks lead to two off tallies by Salamone and Politis. Oliveri threaded a pass to Gilbert from behind the net at 13:43 for her fourth goal of the game, but the Pride scored two goals in under a minute to cut the deficit to one.

With 3:18 remaining in the half, Politis tied the game at seven. Stonehouse and Politis swapped goals before Gilbert gave the Sharks a 9-8 lead into halftime.

Sharks sophomore Ashley Sheehan (North Attleboro, Mass.), who recorded a team-high eight draw controls, beat Decker four minutes into the second half for a 10-8 lead, but Stacy Burns (Waltham, Mass.) collected a pass from Salamone to keep the margin at one.

Sharks goalkeeper Crystal Derosier (Kingston, Mass.) made three clutch saves off a free position shot and two crease rolls before Gilbert picked up the ball at half field and beat Decker for the 11-9 lead.

Salamone scored off a free position shot with 16 minutes to play but Oliveri and Gilbert connected twice and Alexia Malone Oliver (Bristol, R.I.) buried a shot to put the Sharks up 13-10.

Politis scored what would be her final goal of the game with less than five minutes to play to bring Regis to within two, but Gilbert responded by adding two insurance goals as the Sharks went on to win their opening game, 15-11.

Derosier had 21 saves on the day for the Sharks, while Decker posted 13 for the Pride. The Sharks held a 29-15 advantage in ground balls and a slight advantage in draw controls, 14-13.

Next up, Regis will travel to Johnson & Wales University on March 6 for a 1:00 PM game.

Release courtesy of Simmons Sports Information