Field Hockey Falls Short in Overtime Thriller

FITCHBURG, MA: Fitchburg State field hockey fell to Simmons University in an overtime thriller this evening in non-conference action.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 9/4/24

- Score: Simmons 4, Fitchburg 3

- Records: Simmons (3-0), Fitchburg (0-2)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-  The Falcons got the scoring going in the second quarter 18:39 into the contest. Sophia Yates (Woodstock, VT) found herself behind the Sharks defense to receive a perfectly placed pass from Olivia Narkevicius (Phillipston, MA).

- Simmons didn't stay behind for long as they would work their way back down the field and tie the game up at 1-1. In the 22^nd minute, Hannah Groves got two pass attempts off, finally getting past the Falcon defender to find teammate Anna Tedeschi, who was one-on-one with the Fitchburg keeper. Tedeschi found the back of the net just past the outstretched reach of Isabella Corcoran (Braintree, MA).

- Simmons would come out in the second half in the 33rd minute and gain their first lead of the game. Piper Rickman made a move to get around a Falcon defender to find Tedeschi for her second goal of the game.

- Fitchburg would knot it back up at 2-2 in the 41st minute on a sweeping shot from the left side. Eliza Gallo Senka (Fitchburg, MA) completed a perfect pass to Jessica Morse (Leominster, MA) for the equalizing score.

- Simmons went back on top in the fourth quarter in the 49th minute on another Tedeschi goal, giving her the hat trick. Hailey Brisson was credited with the assist. The fourth continued with the Falcons bringing it even at 3-3, with the goal coming off a deflection by Gallo Senka. The original try was from Samantha Jones (Uxbridge, MA), who would get the assist.

- Sydney Gonyea earned a game-winner in overtime after a great left-to-right move around Corcoran, who narrowly missed it.

- Trinity Williamson got the win (W,1-0) after making eight saves on 11 shots faced. Corcoran will suffer the loss (L, 0-1) after playing incredibly well for her first start in net in her collegiate career. In 67 minutes, she made 13 saves after facing 17 shots on goal.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Shots: Simmons 22, Fitchburg 16

-  Saves: Fitchburg 13, Simmons 8

-  Penalty Corners: Simmons 11, Fitchburg 9

UP NEXT:

- Fitchburg State field hockey will return on Saturday when they travel to Clark University for a 2:00 PM game.

STAY CONNECTED:

- For the latest on Fitchburg State University Athletics, follow the Falcons via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.