#18 Franklin Pierce Races
Past #24 Merrimack
Johansson hat trick leads Ravens
to key Northeast-10 victory

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (September 25, 2007) – Franklin Pierce University, ranked 18^th in this week’s National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, handed No. 24-ranked Merrimack College its first loss of the season with a 4-1 decision in a key Northeast-10 Conference women’s soccer match at Warrior Field tonight.

 

Freshman forward Angelika Johansson (Falkenberg, Sweden) netted a hat trick to lead Franklin Pierce, while senior All-American Gabriela Demoner (Curitiba, Brazil) dished a pair of assists and sophomore Mackenzie Bulych (Regina, Saskatchewan /Dr. Martin LeBoldus) contributed a goal and assist.

 

Senior Jenna Mello (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) and junior Brittany Ester (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) split the goalkeeping duties for Franklin Pierce. Mello made one save, conceding a goal, in the first 56:02, before giving way to Ester, who made four stops over the final 33:58. Senior Shannon Rowan (Fair Haven, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven) finished with eight saves for Merrimack.

 

Johansson led Franklin Pierce to a 2-0 lead within the first half hour of the match with two of her three goals. Bulych set up Johansson’s opening goal just 10:39 into the match off a Merrimack turnover with a break down the right side. Johansson one-timed a pass from Demoner in the 29^th minute to double the Ravens advantage.

 

Merrimack pulled a goal back before halftime as junior Nikki Abruzzese (Morris Plains, N.J./Morris Catholic) tipped in a loose ball in front of the net off a corner kick by sophomore Gabrielle Gramprey (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) 9:16 before the break.

 

Franklin Pierce ended all hopes of a Merrimack comeback, after rallying from a 4-1 deficit at Southern Connecticut State University for a 5-4 double-overtime win on Saturday, with two goals in the final 13 minutes of regulation. Rowan was caught out of position on a Demoner cross and Bulych deposited a shot into the left side of the open net in the 78^th minute. Johansson completed her hat trick with 2:42 left in regulation, assisted by freshman Kelly Weygand (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham), off a free kick.

 

Franklin Pierce (7-1-2, 5-1-2 NE-10) returns to action on Saturday when it visits Granite State rivals Southern New Hampshire University at 1 p.m. The Ravens are back home on Wednesday, October 3, to host Le Moyne College at 4 p.m. Merrimack (6-1-3, 4-1-2 NE-10) hosts Saint Anselm College on Saturday at 11 a.m.

BOXSCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY