#1 Franklin Pierce Blanks 
#25 Texas A&M-Commerce, 3-0
Hughes, Hislop lead Ravens to 15^th consecutive 
season-opening victory

RINDGE, N.H. (August 30, 2004) – Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 1 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II preseason poll, claimed its 15^th-straight season opening victory with a 3-0 decision over No. 25 Texas A&M-Commerce in non-conference women’s soccer action on the Franklin Pierce Upper Field this afternoon.

            Junior All-American Laura Hislop (Belfast, Northern Ireland), the reigning Division II Player of the Year, and classmate Sonya Hughes (Balbriggan, Ireland) led the Franklin Pierce attack with and goal and assist each. The win gives the Ravens revenge for a 2-0 setback to A&M-Commerce last season in Texas.            

Of the Ravens 15-straight season opening victories, 11 have been by shutout, including the last three consecutive.

            Texas A&M-Commerce controlled the early portion of the match and had the first good scoring opportunity when Franklin Pierce committed a foul just outside the penalty area in the fourth minute. However, the Tiffany Adams (Haysville, Kan./Campus) free kick was well off the mark.

            The Ravens took control from there and broke through with its first goal of the season in the 36^th minute when junior Elizabeth Allen (Durham, N.H./Oyster River) headed in a Hislop corner kick at the far post.

            Hislop gave the Ravens a two-goal cushion 6:15 into the second half when she worked a give-and-go with Hughes and fired a low shot into the right corner. Hughes rounded out the scoring in the 58^th minute with an unassisted tally in which she got her own rebound of a saved shot and fired it into the back of the net.            

The shutout marked a successful debut for freshman goalkeeper Jenna Mello (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) who was called on for one first-half save in the contest.

            Lions sophomore goalkeeper Stacy McDaniel (Houston, Texas/Stratford) matched her career-best with nine saves, which she established in last year’s victory over Franklin Pierce, but was handed her first career loss.

            Franklin Pierce (1-0) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Holy Family College at 1 p.m. Texas A&M-Commerce (1-1) hosts Ouachita Baptist on Friday at 3 p.m. (CDT).

MATCH STATISTICS