#1 Franklin Pierce Edges 
Saint Michael’s, 2-1
Hislop and Hughes help Ravens remain unbeaten
 in 100-straight at home against regional opponents

RINDGE, N.H. (September 1, 2004) – Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 1 this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, recorded its second-straight one-goal victory of the week with a 2-1 decision over Saint Michael’s College, ranked seventh in the New England region, in Northeast-10 Conference women’s soccer action this afternoon.

            Junior All-American Laura Hislop (Belfast, Northern Ireland) and classmate Sonya Hughes (Balbriggan, Ireland) each registered a goal and assist as the Ravens are now unbeaten in 100-consecutive home matches against New England region opponents (98-0-2). The streak dates back to a 3-0 setback to Keene State College on November 5, 1991, but includes draws with Merrimack College (10/2/02) and Bryant College (10/9/02) along the way.            

Hislop opened the scoring in the 21^st minute when she took a through ball from Hughes and beat one defender before breaking in one-on-one with Saint Michael’s freshman goalkeeper Gillian Goldman (Stratham, N.H./Exeter) and fired a shot into the upper left corner of the net.

            Saint Michael’s equalized 9:20 into the second half as sophomore Jennifer Kerns (Waltham, Mass./Waltham) scored on a scramble off a corner kick from classmate Rachel Gallien (Addison, Vt./Vergennes Union) on the Purple Knights first shot of the match.

            Franklin Pierce answered 6:15 later on a free kick as Hislop squared the ball off to Hughes for a blast from 19-yards out in the 61^st minute.

            Goldman made nine saves in goal for Saint Michael’s, while Franklin Pierce sophomore goalkeeper Linnea Authier (East Longmeadow, Mass./East Longmeadow) finished with no stops. The Ravens out-shot the Purple Knights, 17-4.

            Franklin Pierce (4-0, 2-0 NE-10) returns to action on Wednesday when it visits Assumption College at 3:30 p.m. Saint Michael’s (4-1, 2-1 NE-10) travels to Southern Connecticut State University on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

MATCH STATISTICS