Franklin Pierce Clips 
#18 Merrimack Late, 1-0
Demoner nets lone goal in 88^th minute 
to lift Ravens to key victory

RINDGE, N.H. (September 26, 2006) – Franklin Pierce, receiving votes in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, got a late goal in posting a key 1-0 victory over 18^th-ranked Merrimack College in Northeast-10 Conference women’s soccer action at Sodexho Field tonight.

            Junior midfielder Gabriela Demoner (Curitiba, Brazil) scored the only goal of the match with just 2:05 remaining in regulation to lift Franklin Pierce to the key Conference win. Demoner knocked in a cross from the right side by junior Jenna Giardina (Pittsfield, Mass./Taconic) at the top of the six mid goal.

Premium scoring chances were few and far between for both teams, with Merrimack posting a slim 11-10 advantage in shots (4-3 on target). The Warriors best chance of the match came in the 65^th minute when senior Laura Asbell (Tacoma, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) stepped into a wide-open loose ball in the center of the 18, but booted the ball well over the cross bar. Junior Hillary McGarr (North Dighton, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) had a drive from 25 yards clip the crossbar before going over the end line in the 82^nd minute.

            Franklin Pierce junior goalkeeper Jenna Mello (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) finished with four saves (three second half) to preserve her fourth shutout of the season (19^th career). Senior Caitlin Stephan (Northboro, Mass./Algonquin) made two stops for Merrimack.

            Franklin Pierce (7-2, 6-2 NE-10) is back in action on Saturday for another key NE-10 match with Southern New Hampshire University, ranked fifth in the New England region, at 7 p.m. Merrimack (8-2-0, 5-2-0 NE-10) visits Saint Anselm College on Saturday at 11 a.m.

MATCH STATISTICS & PLAY-BY-PLAY