#10 Franklin Pierce Rallies Past Bryant, 2-1
Hislop sets up both Ravens goals, Scavo nets winner

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (October 8, 2003) – Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 10 in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, rallied from a first half deficit to post a 2-1 victory over Bryant College, ranked fifth in New England, in Northeast-10 Conference women’s soccer action at Bulldog Stadium this afternoon.

            Sophomore forward Laura Hislop (Belfast, Northern Ireland) assisted on both Franklin Pierce goals as all three goals in the match were scored within a 16-minute span in the first half.

            Franklin Pierce controlled play in the early going, despite a quick shot from Bryant senior Allison Kelly (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) that struck the cross bar in the opening minutes. However, the Bulldogs opened the scoring in the 27^th minute when the Ravens defense was slow to react to a loose ball at the top of the penalty area and sophomore Maddie Bergeron (Westfield, Mass./Westfield) pounced on it and fired a shot into the net. Sophomore Terri Gidius (Coventry, Conn./Coventry) was credited with an assist on the play.            

The Ravens bounced back and Hislop first found junior All-American Meghan Welcome (Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill) near the penalty spot for a one-timed shot into the net at the 37:51 mark. Freshman Alex Scavo (Markham, Ontario/Brother Andre) netted the winner just 4:23 later when she headed in a Hislop serve from the left side at 42:14.

            Bryant had two excellent chances to knot the score in the second half. Franklin Pierce senior back Alison Considine (Needham, Mass./Needham) stopped a shot in front of the goal from Bulldogs sophomore Nikki Grandmaison (East Hampstead, N.H./Central Catholic) just shy of the hour mark.

            Ravens senior goalkeeper Aase Kibsgaard (Korgen, Norway) reacted well to a free kick from Kelly a yard outside the penalty area with 18 minutes to play, punching the shot that was ticketed for the lower left corner of the net.

            Kibsgaard preserved the victory with four saves, all of which came in the second half. Bryant sophomore Kim Rekart (Ellicott City, Md./Mount Hebron) made five stops.

Franklin Pierce (10-2, 9-1 NE-10) returns home on Saturday afternoon to host Bentley College, receiving votes in this week’s Division II poll, at 1 p.m. Bryant (10-3-2, 6-3-1 NE-10) visits Le Moyne College Monday at 4 p.m.