Dodge, Blue Jays Blank Simmons

BOSTON, Mass. – Melissa Dodge (Watertown, Conn.) made 11 saves and was backed by three different goal scorers as the University of Saint Joseph soccer team defeated Simmons 3-0 Monday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action.

Simmons had a slight first-half advantage in shots, 13-10 and an edge in corner kicks, 3-1, but the teams were scoreless through 45 minutes. Simmons had its best opportunity of the half at 19:24 when Kristyn Heuslein (Manchester, N.H.) sent a free kick into the Blue Jays zone that forced Dodge to jump for the save. With less than three minutes to play, Emily Burke (Windsor Locks, Conn.) sent a shot from the 25 towards the Sharks net but the ball sailed just high to enter halftime 0-0.

Sara Barnick (Watertown, Conn.) finally broke through 15 minutes into the second half with a goal to the left corner for her ninth score of the season. At 67:42, Michelle Turkington (Cromwell, Conn.) sent a high ball into the Sharks zone that just found the left corner for a two-goal lead. It was Turkington's first of the season and Burke was credited with the assist. With under 10 minutes to play, Patricia Nolan scored her team-leading 13th goal of the season on a low shot to the right side of the net. The goal extended Nolan's school record and was the 58th of her career.

Simmons outshot USJ 27-22 for the game, but the Blue Jays put more shots on goal, 16-11. Brianna Hayes made 13 saves for Simmons. Dodge earned her seventh shutout of the season for the Blue Jays.

St. Joseph next plays at Johnson & Wales, Sat. Oct. 19 at 1 p.m.