Field Hockey Sprints Past Simmons, 4-1

Match Statistics

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Sept. 12, 2009) – Using a balanced scoring attack, the Mount Holyoke College field hockey team kicked off its 2009 campaign with a 4-1 triumph over Simmons College this afternoon. It was the Lyons second straight win over the Sharks.

Leading the way for Mount Holyoke were sophomore forwards Maddy Starbranch and Jess Fajardo, who finished with one goal and one assist apiece. The Lyons piled up large advantages in both shots (28-9) and penalty corners (22-5).

Sophomore forward Shara Robertson got things going in the seventh minute, when she found the cage off an assist from junior midfielder Melissa Hartley.

Simmons (0-5, 0-0 NAC) battled back to even things up just 15 seconds into the second stanza on a goal by junior Christine Lowery. Sophomore Lee Sutherland was credited with the assist on the play.

From there it was all Mount Holyoke. Starbranch tallied what proved to be the match winner at the 42:10 mark and set up Fajardo’s goal seven minutes later. The Lyons then sealed things in the 61st minute, when senior forward Katelyn Frick scored off a feed from Fajardo.

Sophomore goalkeeper Katie Gibson made two saves en route to the win. At the other end, Simmons first year netminder Molly Maidman turned away 12 shots.

Mount Holyoke (1-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) will return to action on Tuesday, when it travels to Nichols College at 7:00 p.m.