BRIGHTON, Mass. – First-year Emilia Elko (Richboro, Pa.) scored the game-winner five minutes into overtime Wednesday evening to lift Simmons University to a 2-1 victory over Lasell University in a key Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) field hockey game at Daly Field.

Simmons improved its record to 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the GNAC, while Lasell drops to 6-7 overall and 5-2 in conference play.

The two teams battled each other through three scoreless quarters. It wasn't until the 50th minute that the Sharks finally jumped on the board. First-year Sydney Gonyea tipped in a pass in front of the net from junior Maddie Beckwith. It was a short-lived lead as four minutes Lasell junior Sage Dodier (Amesbury, Mass.) tied up the game at 1-1 with an unassisted goal in the 54th minute.

The Sharks had the momentum going in their way in the second half and it flowed into the overtime time period. From the top of the circle, Beckwith fed Elko in front of the goal for the game-winner.

Junior goalkeeper Emma Sheehan registered a pair of saves to earn her sixth win of the season for Simmons. Freshman Courtney Tello (Nashua, N.H.) finished with eight saves in the setback as the Sharks outshot the Lasers, 14-5.

The Lasers return home to host Johnson & Wales University this Saturday on Senior Day at 12 p.m. in a GNAC encounter at Grellier Field. Simmons plays again Saturday at Anna Maria College at 12:00 p.m.

(Contributions from Simmons Athletic Communication)

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