HENNIKER, N.H. – Simmons field hockey (17-3) is heading back to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship Game for the second time in three years following a victory in penalty strokes over No. 2 seed New England College (16-3) on Wednesday night.
 
The Sharks got redemption over the Pilgrims after dropping the regular season meeting 1-0 on October 19. From the opening whistle the game was going to be a close battle between the two teams. Sophomore goalkeeper Haley Bright kept the game scoreless, fending off a pair of shots in the opening minutes.
 
Registering a defensive save when the Pilgrims threatened to score first, senior defender Alison Michalik was shut down New England attackers. All game the Pilgrims had a difficult time mustering any offense against the Simmons defense as Michalik and sophomore Emma Fissel were integral at keep the game scoreless through 80 minutes.
 
After two scoreless overtime periods, Bright remained on top of her game. Rejecting three straight shootout shots allowed for the Sharks to jump out to a 2-0 lead following made attempts from seniors Emilia Elko and Sydney Gonyea.
 
A made shot by New England's Drea Chin kept them in the game, but sophomore Lilly Taglieri sent the Sharks onto the championship game with a their third made shootout attempt.
 
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Simmons will compete for its first GNAC Championship since 2015 when they travel to Johnson & Wales University on Saturday, November 9. Time to be determined.