#19 Franklin Pierce Edges Bridgeport, 2-1
Vitulano’s 89^th minute tally seals 
season-opening victory for Ravens

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (August 27, 2004) – Freshman Michel Vitulano (Montreal, Quebec/College de Maisonneuve) netted an unassisted goal with just 1:34 left in regulation to lift Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 19 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II preseason poll, to a 2-1 victory over the University of Bridgeport in non-conference men’s soccer action at the Reebok/Howard Johnson Hotels Autumn Classic, hosted by Southern Connecticut State University, this evening.

            The victory stops a two-year streak of season-opening losses, including a 4-3 double-overtime setback to Bridgeport at this same event a year ago, for the Ravens.            

The two sides played through a scoreless opening half before Franklin Pierce opened the scoring in the 59^th minute when senior Troy McColl (Sydney, Australia) found grad student Christopher Joyce (Jarrow, England) for his first goal in a Ravens uniform. The two markers helped mark a successful debut by the Ravens 12 newcomers, six of which appeared in tonight’s tilt.

            Bridgeport looked to send the match to overtime when it equalized in the 85^th minute on a marker from freshman back Randy Jean-Baptiste, assisted by Avi Alkotzer.

            However, Vitulano avoided the extra session with his unassisted tally in his collegiate debut in the 89^th minute after entering the match following the Purple Knights equalizer four minutes earlier.

            Freshman James Thorpe (East Longmeadow, Mass./Bridgton Academy) picked up a win in his collegiate debut with two saves for Franklin Pierce. Chris Clarke also registered two stops for Bridgeport.

            Franklin Pierce (1-0) returns to action for Sunday when it battles No. 11 Rollins College at 11 a.m. Rollins faces No. 10 Southern Connecticut State University in tonight’s second match. Bridgeport (0-1) faces the host Owls on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

MATCH STATISTICS