Newton, Mass.-Molly Clarke (Berlin, Conn.) drilled home the game-winning goal for Lasell College after a scoreless 75 minutes in a GNAC matchup with Simmons College today on Taylor Field. Lasell delivered the Sharks with their first league loss of the season as Simmons drops to 5-4-1 overall and 3-1-1 in the conference, while the Lasers enjoy a record boost to 3-2-1, and 2-0-1 in the league.
An uneventful first half left the teams at an impasse through the intermission. The hosts had an early chance to score when Allyson Bushey (Westminster, Mass.) took off on a breakaway yet was fouled just outside the penalty area. The consequential free kick by Meredith Hessler (Middletown, RI) was blocked by Simmons wall, but Bushey picked up the rebound for a close call on the Sharks net. Simmons senior keeper Rachel Elliot (Middletown, Conn.) deflected the shot to ward the Lasers off.
The Sharks gave Lasell a scare not long after as junior midfielder Lindsey Butler (South Weymouth, Mass.) received a cross from Anna Stella (Sharon, Mass.) just in front of Lasell's net, however the shot proved to be just high of the target.
The deciding shot began with Kaitlyn Fields (Stoneham, Mass.) who beat Simmon's forward in a one-on-one situation and released the ball quickly to Jordynn Frollo (Uxbridge, Mass.) in the midfield. Frollo carried the ball to just outside the eighteen where she forwarded a pass to Clarke who found the side pocket of the net.
The swinging of the fields continued on right through the finish of the contest, but the Lasers sole mark was the only one needed to protect their victory.
Sophomore goalkeeper Elizabeth Stickley (Mashpee, Mass.) made eight saves on the way to her second shutout of the season. This was Clarke's first goal of 2009.
Simmons has a week long break before facing Rivier College on September 30th. Lasell will hit the road this weekend for their next contest to visit Albertus Magnus College on Saturday, September 26th.