Franklin Pierce Blanks 
Assumption, 2-0
Raven goals early and late the difference 
as Mello makes four stops for shutout

WORCESTER, Mass. (September 12, 2006) – Franklin Pierce, receiving votes in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, got a goal early and added an insurance marker late to a claim a key 2-0 victory over Assumption College, ranked seventh in the New England region, in Northeast-10 Conference women’s soccer action tonight.

            Franklin Pierce freshmen Shona Franklin (Leicester, England) and Rachel Smith (Carlisle, Pa./Bible Baptist School) each netted their first collegiate goals to provide the offensive spark. Junior goalkeeper Jenna Mello (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) made four saves to preserve her second shutout of the season (17^th career) for the Ravens. Mello was called on to make a terrific save on a shot by Assumption senior Sarah Webster (Fairfield, Conn./Ridgefield) that was ticketed for the upper left corner of the goal in the 71^st minute that at the time preserved the Ravens 1-0 lead.            

Franklin Pierce used a quick goal just 4:59 into the match when junior Laura Stockdale (Sunderland, England) found Franklin with a through ball just outside the penalty area. Franklin took two touches before slotting a shot into the lower right corner for her first collegiate marker.

            The Ravens got the important insurance marker in the 89^th minute when Smith headed in a free kick by junior Gabriela Demoner (Curitiba, Brazil) from the left flank in the center of the penalty area and just inside the far post.

            Assumption junior goalkeeper Lauren Matysiak (Holden, Mass./Wachusett Regional), the reigning Northeast-10 Goalkeeper of the Year, finished with four saves for the Greyhounds.

            Franklin Pierce (3-2, 2-2 NE-10) is back in action on Saturday when it hosts Saint Anselm College at 1 p.m. Assumption (2-3-2, 1-2-2 NE-10) hosts American International College on Saturday at 1 p.m.

MATCH STATISTICS & PLAY-BY-PLAY