STANDISH, ME - Top-seeded Saint Joseph's (12-6-2, 9-1-2 GNAC) was knocked out of the GNAC Tournament in the semifinal round by #5 Simmons (11-5-3, 7-2-3 GNAC), 1-0, at Westerlea Way Field on Wednesday afternoon. The Sharks received a goal from Anna Bolton '12 (Amherst, NH) in the 24th minute of play and will advance to the GNAC Championship. For the Monks, the loss signals the end of the 2009 campaign.
St. Joe's outshot the visitors by a 16-6 margin and held a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal in the losing effort. The Monks had several chances to tie the game, but were unlucky on some of the best opportunities, which seemingly has been the theme for the latter part of the season.
Bolton's tally came at the 23:32 mark off a right-to-left crossing pass from Lindsey Butler '11 (South Weymouth, MA). Bolton, standing in the box unmarked, kicked the ball to the top right corner beyond Katye Mayo's '10 (Fairfield, ME) reach.
Jessica Needham '11 (East Bridgewater, MA) nearly tied the game in the 32nd minute of play, but Simmons keeper Rachel Elliot '10 (Amherst, NH) stonewalled the junior to preserve the Sharks' one-goal lead. Jennifer Keaney '13 (Scituate, MA) set up the attempt and Needham, at the 18, belted a drive toward the left corner, but Elliot came up with a diving stop.
Mayo came up with a big play five minutes later when Simmons forward Anna Stella '11 (Sharon, MA) was nearly sprung free on a bouncing lead pass up the middle of the field. The SJC keeper gambled by leaving her net, but made a sliding grab to deny Stella the ball at about the 18-yard mark.
Plenty of midfield play followed, as neither team came up with a quality scoring chance for the next 40 minutes.
The lull was broken up by one of the Monks' best scoring chances in the 76th minute, however, as Needham nearly hit paydirt on a misplayed ball by Elliot. A high bouncing ball was sent from near midfield toward the net and Needham, who ventured beyond the defense and rushed inside the 18, chipped the ball over the reach of Elliot, who came out to challenge, but the ball bounced one more time and sailied just high over the Simmons net.
Two minutes later, Whitney Linindoll '11 (Paris, ME) split a pair of defenders inside the 18 and steered her shot attempt just right of the net.
Several SJC scoring chances, including a high shot by Needham that was tipped high by Elliot, ensued as the clock ticked away. The final minute of the match was made even more dramatic when the Monks recorded three straight corner kicks in a manner of 30 seconds, but the Royal Blue were unable to convert the plays.
For the Monks, Mayo recorded one save and Sharks keeper Elliot made five stops in the GNAC Semifinal.
Simmons will play the #2 Emmanuel/#6 St. Joseph (CT) winner in the GNAC Championship on Saturday. The highest remaining seed will host the title bout, time TBD.
Simmons (11-5-3) vs. St. Joseph's (Me.) (12-6-3)
Date: Nov 04, 2009 Attendance: 200
Weather: Sunny
Goals by period 1 2
Tot
-------------------------------
Simmons............. 1 0 - 1
St. Joseph's (Me.).. 0 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 23:32 SIM Anna Bolton (Lindsey Butler) - Goal off
great cross from 19, shot top right corner
Shots: Simmons 6, St. Joseph's (Me.) 16
Saves: Simmons 5 (Rachel Elliot 5), St. Joseph's (Me.) 1 (Katye
Mayo
1)
