CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley University sophomore Julie Essick (Boerne, Texas) scored the only goal of the match in the 16th minute of play to lift the Lynx over Simmons College in non-conference women's soccer action tonight at Edward Field.
Lynx freshman Jordan Mitchell (Sachse, Texas) sent a beautiful ball into the center of the box to find the streaking Essick who finished with a leaping one-timer for her first marker of the season. Mitchell was credited with her team-leading third assist of the year.
The win improves Lesley to an even 3-3 on the season while Simmons drops to 2-4 in 2015.
The Sharks, who outshot the hosts 9-4 in the opening half, nearly knotted the match at 1-1 with a pair of opportunities in the 35th minute. Sophomore Kashka Gammon (Nashua, N.H.) corralled a cross from senior Elise Nothacker (Philadelphia, Pa.) a step inside the Lynx 18-yard box, but her right-footed drive finished wide ride of the cage. Later in the possession, Gammon sent a corner kick that found the head of senior Tegan Dougherty (Northfield, N.H.), but again her attempt sailed wide right.
After the break, Lesley's Isabella Vidana (San Marcos, Calif.) nearly connected with a shot from the middle of the box in the first 40-seconds of play, but Sharks keeper Briana Hayes (Manorville, N.Y.) was there to make one of her eight stops on the night.
Lesley sophomore Lilly Donovan (Newburyport, Mass.) earned her first win of the season as she played the first half before giving way to senior Jackie Berard (Coventry, R.I.). Each keeper finished a pair of saves for the Lynx. Hayes was charged with the loss for the visitors.
Each side finished with 12 shots and four corner kick opportunities on the night.
Both squads will return to their home fields on Saturday at noon as the Lynx will welcome #15 Brandeis University while the Sharks will play host to Albertus Magnus College.