Field hockey team huddle
Photo credit: Meg Stokes

Field Hockey Edged by No. 6 Saint Anselm in Season Opener, 1-0

RINDGE, N.H. (September 5, 2019) – The Franklin Pierce University field hockey team struggled to generate offense in its season opener on Thursday night, but did hold its own on the defensive half of Sodexo Field. A goal by sophomore forwards Carly LaCasse 49 seconds into the night would prove to be the game's only score, as the Ravens suffered a 1-0, non-conference defeat at the hands of No. 6 nationally ranked Saint Anselm.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce opens its season at 0-1, while Saint Anselm gets out of the gate at 1-0.

The assembled crowd had barely settled into the stands at Sodexo Field when Saint Anselm opened the scoring on Thursday night. Working the ball into the left-wing side of the circle, senior forward Michelle Lemelin sent a cross into the goalmouth area. LaCasse was on the scene in front of the right post and was able to one-time the ball home to cash in her first goal of the campaign.

It would turn out to be the only goal of the night for either side, as Saint Anselm ultimately went on to the 1-0 victory. The Hawks chalked up 11 shot attempts against just two for Franklin Pierce, but the Ravens stood strong for the large part in the defensive end. Franklin Pierce was able to stave off five corners without conceding a goal and held Saint Anselm to just the lone shot in the first quarter and no shot attempts in the fourth quarter. Senior back Jessica Strassburg (Longmeadow, Mass.) tallied a defensive save late in the second quarter to stymie Saint Anselm's other strongest scoring chance of the night.

Meanwhile, the Hawks put together a smothering effort on the other side of midfield. Franklin Pierce was held to just the two shot attempts on the night, one each in the first and fourth quarters. Saint Anselm junior goalkeeper Julia Hand (1-0) was not forced to make a save while chalking up the shutout in the season opener.

Franklin Pierce junior goalkeeper Olivia Barnes (Greenwich, N.Y.) finished with four saves against five shots on goal in defeat for Franklin Pierce.

The Ravens return to the field on Saturday, Sept. 7, when they remain home to face Bentley in a non-conference contest. Game time is set for 5 p.m. at Sodexo Field.

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' brand new online store (https://www.shopfpuravens.com).