2005 Reebok/Howard Johnson 
Autumn Classic
#9 Franklin Pierce Blanks 
Bridgeport in Opener, 2-0
Ravens post shutout in 13th-straight 
regular season victory

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (August 26, 2005) – Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 9 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II Preseason Coaches poll, opened its 2005 season with a 2-0 victory over the University of Bridgeport on day one of the 2005 Reebok/Howard Johnson Hotels Autumn Classic at Jess Dow Field on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University this afternoon.

            The victory was Franklin Pierce’s 13^th straight regular season victory in which it has not yielded a goal and the Ravens last allowed a regular season goal in a 3-2 loss to Southern Connecticut State on October 20, 2004 – a streak of 191:30.            

Sophomore James Thorpe (East Longmeadow, Mass./Bridgton Academy) was called on for just one save in posting the 15^th shutout of his collegiate career (in 25 matches) – good for sole possession of fourth on the Ravens career list. Franklin Pierce out-shot Bridgeport 14-3 on the day. Junior goalkeeper Chris Clarke (New York, N.Y./St. John’s Prep) made six stops for the Purple Knights.

            Both Franklin Pierce goals came in the second half, beginning just 4:14 into the stanza when freshman Raphael Guimaraes (Marlboro, Mass./Ashland) scored in his collegiate debut, assisted by All-American Christopher Joyce (Jarrow, England).

            Junior Jason Grier (Norwell, Mass./Norwell) added an insurance marker, assisted by grad student Simon Walker (Jarrow, England) in the 79^th minute.

Scoring Summary: FP: Raphael Guimaraes (Christopher Joyce), 49:14; FP: Jason Grier (Simon Walker), 78:14.
Goalkeepers: UB: Chris Clarke (90:00), six saves; FP: James Thorpe (90:00), one save.
Shots: UB: 3, FP: 14.