Franklin Pierce Blanks 
#7 Saint Anselm, 2-0
Bakker plays role in both Raven goals to 
remain perfect in Conference play

 MANCHESTER, N.H. (September 20, 2003) – Franklin Pierce remained perfect in Conference play with a 2-0 victory over Saint Anselm College, ranked No. 7 in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, in Northeast-10 Conference men’s soccer action at Melucci Field this afternoon.

            Sophomore forward Lars Bakker (Enschede, The Netherlands) continues to lead the Franklin Pierce attack this season as he played a role in both markers today with a goal and assist. The Ravens improved to 2-1-1 this season against ranked opponents with all four matches being played away from Crystal Field.            

Franklin Pierce controlled the match from the outset, firing off ten shots before Saint Anselm registered one of its own. The Ravens finished with a 24-5 shots advantage for the match, 11-3 on goal. The victory is also Franklin Pierce’s first over the Hawks since a 7-1 decision in Rindge on October 15, 1997, and its first on the Saint Anselm campus since a 6-0 victory on September 22, 1993.

            Saint Anselm still nearly took an early advantage, but Franklin Pierce senior goalkeeper Domenico Roma (Windsor, Ontario/Ste. Annes) pushed a shot from Hawks sophomore Seth Ebbeling (Northbridge, Mass./St. John’s Prep) away from the goal 12:22 into the match.

            Franklin Pierce broke through in the 34^th minute when Bakker converted a penalty kick for a 1-0 advantage. Bakker caused the penalty when he chipped a shot over Saint Anselm junior Robert Morong (Dedham, Mass./Dedham) that seemed headed for the net until senior Connor Hardy (Reading, Mass./Reading) was called for a handball.

            Franklin Pierce continued to pressure the Hawks in the second half and was rewarded in the 73^rd minute when Bakker found sophomore Evan Luster (Newington, Conn./Newington) with a cross which he kicked in for the insurance goal.

            Roma made three saves to preserve his first shutout of the season (ninth career) while making his first start since the opening match of the fall. Morong made nine saves for the Hawks.

Franklin Pierce (4-3-1, 4-0 NE-10) returns home for the first time in three weeks when it hosts Le Moyne College, ranked fifth in the New England Region, on Saturday, September 27, at 1 p.m. Saint Anselm (4-2, 2-2 NE-10) hosts Green Mountain College on Wednesday for a non-conference match at 4 p.m.

MATCH STATISTICS