Ibarra's Second Half Strike Leads Blue Soccer Past Simmons, 1-0

WELLESLEY, Mass. – Sophomore Deyanira Ibarra (Los Olivos, Calif) scored the game's only goal in the second half to lift Wellesley College soccer to a 1-0 non-conference victory over visiting Simmons College in the season opener for both teams on Friday at the Wellesley Fields Complex.

The Blue defeated Simmons in their opening game for the third-straight year to start the season 1-0-0 overall. Simmons falls to 0-1-0.

Making her first career start, Ibarra gave the Blue the lead in the 50th minute of the contest, burying a pass from junior Gabriela Portilla (West Windsor, N.J.) for the second goal of her career. Portilla picked up her first career assist on the play, relaying a cross from sophomore Emily Tran (Vienna, Va.) across to Ibarra, who beat Simmons senior goalkeeper Casey Halle (Watertown, Mass.).

Ibarra's goal was the lone blemish on the day for Halle, who made 12 saves in the contest and nine alone in the first half. Wellesley sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Reckley (Grosse Ile, Mich) made three saves to earn her first shutout of the season.

The Blue had a significant edge in shots, 27-7, and registered all 13 corner kicks in the game. Senior Melise Knowles (Diablo, Calif.) was a driving force in the Blue attack, attempting a game-high nine shots, four of which were on target.

Wellesley will host Montclair State University on Sunday, September 3, at 12:00 PM in another non-conference match. Simmons opens at home tomorrow at 11:00 AM against Newbury College.