#19 Franklin Pierce Blanks 
#11 Rollins, 3-0
McNeil, Joyce lead Ravens to upset victory

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (August 29, 2004) – Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 19 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II preseason poll, remained unbeaten on the young season with a 3-0 victory over No. 11 Rollins College in day two action of the Reebok/Howard Johnson Hotels Autumn Classic, hosted by Southern Connecticut State University, at Jess Dow Field this afternoon.

Grad students Tom McNeil (Glasgow, Scotland) and Christopher Joyce (Jarrow, England) paced the Ravens attack as McNeil netted a pair of goals and Joyce 

set up all three Franklin Pierce markers on the day. Freshman Robert Thorpe (East Longmeadow, Mass./Bridgton Academy) registered four saves in posting his first career shutout.

McNeil opened the scoring just 5:33 into the match, converting on a Joyce pass. McNeil gave Franklin Pierce a two-goal cushion 7:49 into the second half, thanks to another Joyce assist. Joyce set up sophomore Jason Grier’s (Norwell, Mass./Norwell) first goal of the season in the 86^th minute to round out the scoring.

Junior Jeff Rogers (Naples, Fla./Naples) finished with three saves for Rollins, which out-shot Franklin Pierce by an 8-6 margin. The Tars opened the Classic on Friday with a 1-1 draw with No. 10 Southern Connecticut.

Franklin Pierce (2-0) returns to action for Friday when it hosts Nova Southeastern University, coached by alum Joe DePaolo (’95), at 4 p.m. Rollins (0-1-1) hosts Montevallo on Friday at 7:30 p.m.