BOSTON, Mass. - Senior midfield Nicole Smith (North Attleboro, Mass.) scored three times and had an assist to lead the Salve Regina University women's lacrosse team to a 9-7 non-conference victory over Simmons University on the road to begin the 2022 season.

Salve Regina raced out to a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Samantha Moletti, Smith, and Gabriella Von Beren and never trailed in the game. The Sharks twice made it a one-goal game in the third and fourth quarters, but the Seahawks were always able to respond.

In the fourth quarter it was Julia Govoni who tallied back-to-back goals to give the Seahawks a 9-6 lead after the Sharks had cut it to one. The Sharks were able to get one goal back late in the fourth, but could not best Seahawks goalie Grace Haesche again as she made three saves in the fourth, and 19 total in the game to pick up the win.

Salve Regina (1-0) hosts Emmanuel (Mass.) on Thursday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m., while Simmons (1-1) returns to the field on Monday, March 7, when they travel to Salem State.