#9 Franklin Pierce Clinches Title
at Saint Anselm, 2-0
Hislop plays role in both goals as Ravens
close out regular season

MANCHESTER, N.H. (October 30, 2003) – Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 9 in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, clinched its third-straight Northeast-10 Conference regular season title with a 2-0 victory over Saint Anselm College in women’s soccer action at Melucci Field this afternoon.

            Franklin Pierce (15-2, 13-1 NE-10), ranked second in the New England region, clinched the title and its subsequent top-seed in the upcoming NE-10 Tournament with the win and Merrimack College’s 3-1 loss to Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y., this afternoon. The Ravens will host eighth-seeded Pace University in quarterfinal round action on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. The match will be played on the College’s Field Hockey/Lacrosse complex as a result of continued poor field conditions at Crystal Field. By earning the top seed, the Ravens also ensure all matches they play in the NE-10 Championships will be at home.

This afternoon, sophomore forward Laura Hislop (Belfast, Northern Ireland) played a role in both Franklin Pierce goals as it scored both goals in the opening half.

Hislop set up the Ravens opening goal in the 20^th minute when she served a cross from the left side that found junior All-American Meghan Welcome (Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill) in the middle of the penalty area for a one-timed shot past Saint Anselm junior goalkeeper Kathryn Mullin (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield).

The goal was Welcome’s Conference-leading 22^nd of the season and 49^th of her career, surpassing Amy Hanlon’s (’96) career record for goals by a US-born player.

Hislop rounded out the scoring with an unassisted goal just 51-seconds before the intermission. She sent a long ball past one defender, out-ran her to the ball, then cut in towards goal, beating another defender, before walking in one-on-one with Mullin before firing a shot into the lower left corner of the net.

While the Ravens didn’t score over the final 45-minutes, they controlled play the entire half, registering an 11-1 shots advantage for the stanza. Franklin Pierce out-shot Saint Anselm by a 26-2 margin for the match.

Senior goalkeeper Aase Kibsgaard (Korgen, Norway) made one first half save to preserve her sixth shutout of the season and 14^th of her career to move into a tie for fifth all-time at the College with Kara Shemeth (’02).

Mullin made 11 saves for Saint Anselm, which rounds out its season with a 6-9-1 overall, 4-9-1 in the Northeast-10.

MATCH STATISTICS