Demoner Helps Brazil Win
on Day One of World University Games
Franklin Pierce All-American nets goal
in 6-2 victory over Russia 

BANGKOK, Thailand (August 7, 2007) – Franklin Pierce University senior All-American Gabriela Demoner (Curitiba, Brazil) helped Brazil post a commanding 6-2 victory over Russia on day one of the 2007 World University Games at Srinakharinwirot University Stadium today.

            Demoner played the full 90-minutes, starting in midfield, for Brazil. She netted the the sixth and final goal as Brazil broke a 2-2 halftime tie with four second half strikes to secure the victory. Russia scored the opening goal five minutes into the match, but Brazil answered with two goals for a 2-1 lead in the 44^th minute before Russia scored a late tally to end the first half.

            Next up for Brazil are New Zealand, who dropped a 4-1 decision to Chinese Taipei today, on Thursday at 2:00 a.m. (EDT). Brazil completes pool play against Chinese Taipei on Saturday at 2:00 a.m. (EDT). Classification and medal round matches run Monday, August 13, through the 17^th.           

Brazil currently sits atop the Group B standings on goal differential (+4), ahead of Chinese Taipei. Both teams have three points through the opening round of pool play

            Demoner, who helped lead Brazil to a gold medal at the 2005 World University Games in Izmir, Turkey, is the fourth Franklin Pierce student-athlete, and third women’s soccer player from the University, to represent their country at the WUG. She joins former All-Americans Laura Hislop and Sonya Hughes, who were teammates for the Republic of Ireland in 2005, and Tom Sadler, who played on the United Kingdom’s men’s basketball team in 2005, as WUG participants.

            Demoner is heading into her second season at Franklin Pierce after totaling a team-high 15 goals and 12 assists for 42 points in 19 matches, bagging six match-winning goals in 2006. The Ravens posted a 17-1-1 record in matches she played, advancing to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division II Tournament after capturing their record seventh consecutive Northeast-10 Conference Tournament Championship.

            Franklin Pierce (18-3-1, 12-2-0 NE-10 in 2006), ranked sixth in the final National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II national poll, opens its 2007 season at Holy Family University, in Philadelphia, Pa., on Friday, August 24, at 1 p.m. The Ravens first home match is a key NE-10 contest against The College of Saint Rose, on Saturday, September 1, at 1 p.m.