Women's Soccer Play to 0-0 Draw With Simmons

Women's Soccer Play to 0-0 Draw With Simmons

The Suffolk University Women's Soccer team (6-6-1, 4-5-1 GNAC) and Simmons College Sharks (5-7-2, 4-4-2 GNAC) battled for a 0-0 draw in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on a misty Wednesday night at Dilboy Memorial Stadium in Somerville.

Freshman Melissa Brouillette (Shelton, Conn.) posted her fifth shutout of the season in the contest for the Rams. Brouillette now extends her scoreless streak to 407 minutes, which surpasses 2010 graduate Emily Joyce's previous record of 340 minutes which was set during the 2010 campaign. The Rams stingy defense has not allowed a goal since their September 28 matchup versus St. Joseph College as the Blue Jays converted on a penalty kick in the game's 64th minute.

Both teams entered Wednesday's contest continuing their hunt to secure a berth into the eight-team GNAC playoff tournament which will begin on October 29. With the tie, Simmons moves into eighth places with 14 points, while Suffolk is on the outside looking in tied for ninth place with 13 points and three conference games remaining.

The Rams offense has been on a torrid pace lately outscoring their opponents 20-0 over their past three contests were shutout for the third time this season. This season the Rams have been scoring their goals in bunches as they are one of only three teams in the nation among Division-III programs to score at least 13 goals in a game on two occasions, but have followed those performances by not tallying a single goal in their following contest.

Simmons has now been shutout five times in 2011.

Rain may have played a factor in Wednesday's contest as neither team could muster any significant scoring chances.

Simmons had perhaps the game's best opportunity for a score as Brouillette played a ball outside of the box and lost control of it. Junior Justine Beauchamp (Exeter, N.H.) grabbed control of the loose ball but her 15-yard shot sailed to the right of the goal.

The Sharks registered 18 shots in the contest, but were only able to get five on net as many of their shots either sailed high over the net or strayed wide of the goal posts. Beauchamp led the shot brigade for the Sharks as she let off seven shots in the contest, while sophomore Kristyn Heuslein (Manchester, N.H.) had four shots.

Sophomore Ashley Wheeler (Nashua, N.H.) made 11 saves in goal for the Sharks as she recorded her fourth shutout of the season.

Suffolk managed to put plenty of pressure on Simmons in the second half as they forced Wheeler to make nine saves in the 45-minute period. Wheeler went down for a brief moment as she collided with sophomore Gabrielle Balestrier (Mohnton, Pa.) after stopping one of her shots. Still with Wheeler down the Rams could not capitalize as their ensuing shot off the rebound sailed wide right of the goal.

Senior Leslie Hayden (Ross, Calif.) posted four shots in the contest for the Rams but could find the back of the net. The Rams forward has been on a torried pace of late scoring nine goals in her previous two contests. Sophomore Monica Wolf (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) managed to put three shots on net in the game for the Rams.

Suffolk held a 23-18 edge in shots in the contest, including a 15-7 margin in the second half. Simmons managed to put off three shots in overtime, while the Rams had two shots.

Both teams will be back in GNAC action on Saturday. Simmons will travel to Mount Ida College for a 1:00pm matchup with the Mustangs. Suffolk will host Norwich University as part of a Suffolk Spirit Day Soccer Doubleheader beginning at 2:00pm at Dilboy Stadium.