#6 Franklin Pierce Coasts 
Past AIC, 4-0
Welcome nets double to lead Ravens 
past Yellow Jackets

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 27, 2003) – Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 6 in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, netted three second-half goals to coast to a 4-0 victory over American International College in Northeast-10 Conference women’s soccer action at AIC Park this afternoon.

            Junior All-American Meghan Welcome (Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill) netted a pair of goals and sophomore Sonya Hughes (Balbriggan, Ireland) dished two assists for Franklin Pierce.            

Freshman Linnea Authier (East Longmeadow, Mass./East Longmeadow) made her first collegiate start this afternoon and registered three saves to post her first career shutout for the Ravens.

            The Yellow Jackets kept Franklin Pierce, ranked first in the New England Region, off the board until the 38^th minute when Hughes set up Welcome's first goal. Hughes also set up the Ravens second goal, a minute into the second half, when she assisted on a goal from freshman Alex Scavo (Markham, Ontario/Brother Andre).

            Welcome expanded the Ravens lead to 3-0 in the 50^th minute, assisted by freshman Kristen Lake (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield). The assist marked Lake’s first point of her collegiate career.

            Sophomore Laura Hislop (Belfast, Northern Ireland) rounded the scoring in the 72^nd minute when she knocked in a flick from senior Alison Considine (Needham, Mass./Needham).            

AIC freshman Sara Meade (Great Barrington, Mass./Monument Mtn.) posted 11 saves in net as Franklin Pierce out shot the Yellow Jackets by a 24-9 margin.

            Franklin Pierce (8-1, 7-0 NE-10) returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to North Andover, Mass., to face No. 10 Merrimack College at 3:30 p.m. American International (1-5, 1-5 NE-10) visits Saint Anselm College on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

MATCH STATISTICS