#1 Franklin Pierce Rallies 
Past Assumption, 4-1
Bowler, Hislop spark Ravens to 
victory over Greyhounds

WORCESTER, Mass. (September 15, 2004) – Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 1 in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, scored four unanswered goals and collected a 4-1 victory over Assumption College in Northeast-10 Conference women’s soccer action at H.L. Rocheleau Field this afternoon.

            Junior forward Leanne Bowler (Clonalvy, Ireland) scored two goals just 21-seconds apart less than five minutes after entering the match to put Franklin Pierce ahead, then give the Ravens a two-goal edge after the two sides were knotted at a goal apiece at the intermission. Junior All-American Laura Hislop (Belfast, Northern Ireland) registered a goal and two assists in the victory.             

Bowler entered the match in the 62^nd minute, and then netted the match-winning goal at 65:54 when she took a serve from senior Martta Makila (Vantaa, Finland) and chipped the ball over Assumption freshman goalkeeper Lauren Matysiak (Holden, Mass./Wachusett) who had charged off her line. Bowler put the Ravens up 3-1 just 21-seconds later when she took a low cross from the left side by Hislop and poked it over the goal line at 66:15.

            Assumption jumped on top just 4:54 into the match as junior Andrea Marcoccio (Warwick, R.I./Pilgrim) took a pass from freshman Ashley McMahon (Bethel, Conn./Immaculate) and broke in for a shot into the lower right corner of the net past Franklin Pierce freshman goalkeeper Jenna Mello (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry).

            Franklin Pierce equalized off a set piece in the 24^th minute as Hislop served in a free kick that was flicked in by senior All-American Meghan Welcome (Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill), catching Matysiak out of position.

            Hislop rounded out the scoring in the 87^th minute as she took a serve from sophomore Kristen Lake (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield), one-touched the ball past one defender, then fired a low shot into the lower right corner of the goal.

            Mello finished with a season-high five saves in goal for Franklin Pierce to preserve the win, while Matysiak stopped three shots for the Greyhounds.

Franklin Pierce (5-0, 3-0 NE-10) returns to action on Saturday when it travels to No. 21 College of Saint Rose for a key Conference battle at 2 p.m. Assumption (2-2, 2-2 NE-10) hosts American International College on Saturday at noon.

MATCH STATISTICS