#2 Franklin Pierce Nets Late Winner Over Bridgeport 
in Opener, 2-1
Ettienne header off corner kick in 85^th minute
lifts Ravens at SCSU Autumn Classic

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (August 25, 2006) – Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 2 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II preseason poll, needed some late heroics in posting a 2-1 men’s soccer victory over the University of Bridgeport in day one action of the Southern Connecticut State Autumn Classic at Jess Dow Field this afternoon.

            Franklin Pierce, coming off its most successful season in program history in which the Ravens advanced to the NCAA Division II title match, opened its 2006 scoring account early when sophomore Raphael Guimaraes (Marlborough, Mass./Ashland) caught Bridgeport senior goalkeeper Chris Clarke (New York, N.Y./St. John’s Prep) off his line with a long range chip shot from just inside midfield 9:59 into the match.            

Bridgeport equalized in the 66^th minute when freshman LeRoux Lothian (Kingston, Jamaica) netted an unassisted goal.

            The Ravens got a late winner when senior back Bisharra Ettienne (Rosedale, N.Y./Dominica State College) headed in a corner kick by sophomore Frantz Francois (West Palm Beach, Fla./Palm Beach Lakes) with just 5:03 remaining in regulation.

            Junior All-American James Thorpe (East Longmeadow, Mass./Bridgton Academy) preserved the win in goal for Franklin Pierce with six saves. Clarke finished with five stops for the Purple Knights, who were out-shot 13-10 by the Ravens.

            Franklin Pierce (1-0) will square off with No. 11 Dominican College (0-0-1) in a rematch of the 2005 NCAA Division II Northeast Regional Championship, which the Ravens won 1-0 with a penalty kick in overtime, on Sunday at 11 a.m. The Chargers drew host Southern Connecticut State in tonight’s second match, 2-2. Bridgeport (0-1) will face Southern in Sunday’s second game.

MATCH STATISTICS & PLAY-BY-PLAY