#22 Merrimack Stuns 
#1 Franklin Pierce, 2-1
Warriors end Ravens 101-match home unbeaten 
string vs. NE Region opponents

RINDGE, N.H. (September 30, 2004) – Merrimack College, ranked No. 22 in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, handed top-ranked Franklin Pierce its first home loss to a New England Region opponent in 13 years with a 2-1 victory this afternoon.

            Merrimack puts an end to Franklin Pierce’s 101-match home unbeaten streak against New England Region opposition dating back to a 3-0 setback to Keene State College on November 5, 1991. The Ravens had gone 99-0-2 against regional opponents before the loss today in the 13 years since. The loss also snapped a 16-match home winning streak and a 40-match home unbeaten run overall. The winning streak dated back to a 1-1 draw with Bryant College on October 9, 2002, while the unbeaten run dated back to a 3-2 overtime loss to Westmont (Calif.) College on September 30, 2000 – four years ago to the day.

            Freshman Hillary McGarr (North Dighton, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) put the Warriors ahead for good with 10:51 left in regulation as senior Laurie Lamoureux (Leicester, Mass./Leicester) spotted her with a pass that sent her in one-on-one with Franklin Pierce freshman goalkeeper Jenna Mello (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) for a low shot into the right side of the net.

            The Ravens pushed forward and had a couple of bids to knot the score for a second time on the day. Junior Sonya Hughes (Balbriggan, Ireland) had a good bid in the 86^th minute, but just missed over the crossbar on a shot just outside the penalty area.

            Merrimack opened the scoring in the 24^th minute as Lamoureux headed in a cross at the far post from sophomore Julie Anderson (Middletown, R.I./Middletown) after Anderson had two shots of her own from close range after a Franklin Pierce defensive turnover with the goalkeeper off the line. Her first attempt was blocked and the second cleared off the line by Ravens sophomore back Mia Makarainen (Espoo, Finland). Anderson collected the ball for a third time and crossed the ball to Lamoureux who was unmarked on the far post.

            The Ravens took possession from there in the first half and had a scoring bid snuffed out when a shot from junior Kirsi Ekberg (Klaukkala, Finland) was cleared off the line by Merrimack junior Lindsay Sheffield (Georgetown, Mass./Georgetown) in the 41^st minute.

            Franklin Pierce equalized in the 56^th minute when junior All-American Laura Hislop (Belfast, Northern Ireland) took the ball off a turnover, turned and curled a shot into the upper right corner of the net from just outside the penalty area.

            Merrimack freshman goalkeeper Shannon Rowan (Fair Haven, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven) registered seven saves to preserve the victory, while Mello stopped two shots for Franklin Pierce. The Ravens out-shot the Warriors, 24-12.

            Franklin Pierce (7-1, 5-1 NE-10) looks to rebound on Saturday when it visits Pace University for a match at 1 p.m. Merrimack (8-1-1, 5-1-1 NE-10) visits No. 8 LIU-Southampton on Saturday at noon.

MATCH STATISTICS