#3 Franklin Pierce Downs 
Assumption, 2-0
Ettienne nets team-leading 
third match-winner in first half

RINDGE, N.H. (September 13, 2006) – Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 3 in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, scored a goal in each half and defeated Assumption College, 2-0, in Northeast-10 Conference men’s soccer action at Sodexho Field tonight.

            Senior back Bisharra Ettienne (Rosedale, N.Y./Dominica State College) opened the scoring 19:31 into the match when he headed in a free kick from junior Brendan McMahon (Chapelhall, Scotland) from the right side. The marker was the team-leading third of the season for the Ravens center back – all of which have been match-winners.            

Franklin Pierce doubled its advantage just after the hour mark when junior captain Michel Vitulano (Montreal, Quebec/College de Maisonneuve) converted a penalty kick at the 62:28 mark. The Ravens were the awarded the penalty when McMahon was tripped from behind five yards inside the upper left corner of the 18.

            Junior All-America goalkeeper James Thorpe (East Longmeadow, Mass./Bridgton Academy) made one second half save to preserve his fourth shutout of the season (29^th career) for the Ravens. Senior Brett Miller (Franklin, Mass./Tri County Regional) finished with three saves for Assumption.

            Franklin Pierce enjoyed a 21-4 advantage in shots for the match, but placed just six of its 21 scoring attempts on target.

            Franklin Pierce (5-0-1, 1-0-1 NE-10) is back in action on Saturday when it visits American International College, ranked fifth in the New England Region, at 7 p.m. The match is being played at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, Mass. Assumption (0-7-0, 0-4-0 NE-10) hosts Saint Michael’s College on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

MATCH STATISTICS & PLAY-BY-PLAY