Defense Strong, but Field Hockey Edged at No. 10 Pace, 1-0 (2 OT)

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. (September 29, 2018) – The Franklin Pierce University field hockey team was unable to generate anything in the way of offense on the road on Saturday afternoon. However, the Ravens also succeeded at holding the offense of No. 10 nationally ranked Pace at bay for most of the day as well. The only goal of the game at Finnerty Field came off the stick of senior midfielder Rachel Platko 1:53 into the second overtime, as Pace was able to claw out a 1-0 win in Northeast-10 Conference play.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 3-4 (0-2 NE10), while Pace improves to 6-1 (2-0 NE10).

The entirety of regulation, as well as all of the first overtime, went scoreless on Saturday afternoon, though the nationally-ranked Setters controlled the run of play throughout. Pace held Franklin Pierce without a shot on goal on the afternoon while running up large statistical margins in every meaningful category. The Setters finished the day with advantages of 13-1 in shot attempts, 10-0 in shots on goal and 19-1 in penalty corners.

Franklin Pierce's lone shot attempt of the day came off of its only penalty corner and went wide of the target in the 21^st minute. It marked the second time this season Pace held an opponent without a shot on goal. In their six victories, the Setters have surrendered an average of only two shots on goal per game.

Despite the siege, the Franklin Pierce defense stood tall for over 80 minutes. Sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Barnes (Greenwich, N.Y.) was the hard-luck loser (3-4), as she finished with nine saves against 10 shots on goal.

For Franklin Pierce, it looked as if the best chance to collect a victory would be to push the game to a shootout, but Pace finally beat the door down in the 82^nd minute, just 1:53 into the second overtime, to put home the game-winner. Platko was able to jam the ball in at the left post for her second goal of the season, off of an assist from senior forward Halley Rose, who put the ball into the goalmouth area from the right side.

Pace freshman goalkeeper Grace Henderson (6-1) did not face a shot on goal while recording her fourth shutout of the season.

The Ravens return to the field on Friday, Oct. 5, when they return home to host New Haven in an NE10 contest. Game time is set for 6 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.fpuravens.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).