Franklin Pierce Stuns #9 Saint Michael’s, 2-1
Clifford nets game-winner in 68^th minute

RINDGE, N.H. (September 19, 2006) – The Franklin Pierce field hockey team earned a key, early season victory with a 2-1 decision over No. 9 ranked Saint Michael’s College in Northeast-10 Conference action this evening at the Sodexho Field. Ravens sophomore Jenee Clifford (Sandown, N.H./Timberlane) netted the game-winning goal in the 68^th minute to give Franklin Pierce its second victory of the season.

            Saint Michael’s opened the scoring with just 6:54 remaining in the first half as sophomore Andrea Slaven (Danvers, Mass./Bishop Fenwick) collected her team-leading, eighth goal of the season of an assist from classmate Tricia McCormick (East Walpole, Mass./Walpole).

Franklin Pierce fired back early in the second half as sophomore Trish Slowinski (Colrain, Mass./Mohawk Regional) tipped in a solid stroke from classmate Stephanie Howard (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) to record her first

collegiate goal and knot the score at 1-1. The Ravens took the lead with just 6:58 remaining in the match as Clifford registered the game-winning goal on a blast from the top of the key.

Saint Michael’s goalkeeper, senior Tina Nardi (Rupert, Vt./Salem Central) posted three saves in the loss, while Franklin Pierce goalkeeper, senior Amanda Pietraszuk (Clinton, Conn./The Morgan School) made five saves to preserve her second victory of the season

            Franklin Pierce (2-2, 2-2 NE-10) will be in action again on Thursday as it travels to Saint Anselm College at 4 p.m. Saint Michael’s (3-4, 2-3 NE-10) will host Bryant University on Saturday at 4 p.m.

 Franklin Pierce 2, #9 Saint Michael’s 1