Field Hockey Fights Back Again, Wins at Saint Michael’s, 2-1

COLCHESTER, Vt. (September 12, 2018) – The "Rallying Ravens" struck again on Wednesday afternoon. Facing a 1-0 deficit with just 20 minutes to play, the Franklin Pierce University field hockey team found itself in what has become familiar territory in the team's young season. Much like Friday afternoon at Kutztown, the deficit was only a temporary roadblock at Duffy Field. Senior forward Ashley Silva (Laconia, N.H.) leveled the score in the 52^nd minute, and freshman back Julianne Sacco (Southborough, Mass.) followed with the game-winner in the 59^th minute, as the Ravens pulled out a 2-1, non-conference victory at Saint Michael's.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 3-1, while Saint Michael's falls to 0-3. For the Ravens, in marked the first win on the road at Saint Michael's since a 2-1 victory on Oct. 15, 2011, when Kim Jaksina '12 provided the game-winner with just 32 seconds to play in regulation. Franklin Pierce had lost in each of its last five trips to Colchester.

Despite a combined nine shots on goal for the two sides, the first half went scoreless. Saint Michael's then opened the scoring in short order in the second stanza. Just 4:08 into the frame, in the 40^th minute, the Purple Knights were awarded a penalty stroke. Sophomore forward Shelagh Fluharty took the stroke and put it to the back of the cage for her first goal of the season.

As they did in their previous two wins, the Ravens battled back from a second-half deficit. Franklin Pierce drew even at 1-1 in the 52^nd minute. Junior midfielder Jessica Greeley (Winslow, Maine) provided the setup, as she sent a cross into the goalmouth from the right-wing side. Silva was on-site and provided the reverse-stick finish to pick up her first goal of the campaign.

Exactly seven minutes later, in the 59^th minute, the Ravens found the winner. Off the second of back-to-back penalty corners, senior midfielder Raegan Moulton (Baldwinville, Mass.) put a shot on goal. Saint Michael's junior goalkeeper Anna Hurley was able to turn the shot aside, but Sacco was in the area as well, after having taken the corner, and put away the rebound for what would stand as the game-winning goal. It was Sacco's second score of the season.

Sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Barnes (Greenwich, Mass.) finished with four saves against five shots on goal to pick up the win (3-1), while both senior back Alicia Lasnik (Glenmont, N.Y.) and junior back Jessica Strassburg (Longmeadow, Mass.) chipped in defensive saves along the way. At the other end of the field, Hurley (0-3) stopped eight of 10 shots on her cage, while senior back Claire Kondrotas tacked on a defensive save.

Franklin Pierce chalked up advantages of 17-11 in shot attempts, 11-7 in shots on goal and 11-5 in penalty corners on the afternoon.

The Ravens return to the field on Sunday, Sept. 16, when they return home to host Merrimack in a non-conference contest. Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Sodexo Field in Rindge.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuraves.com). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce field hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (https://www.fpuravens.com/store).