Field Hockey Blanked by Bentley, 3-0

RINDGE, N.H. (September 7, 2019) – The Franklin Pierce University field hockey team improved on the offensive side of the ball on Saturday evening, compared to its season opener, but things went backwards on the defensive side of things at Sodexo Field. The Ravens ultimately surrendered 14 shot attempts, including 12 on goal, to a visiting Bentley team which posted a 3-0 victory in the non-conference contest. Senior forward Tess Anderson went for two goals and an assist for the Falcons, as she factored in on all three scores.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 0-2, while Bentley opens its season at 1-0.

Bentley struck twice in a span of 4:02 early in the first half and never looked back. In the eighth minute, senior forward Sam Pavano attempted to put a shot towards the net, but had it blocked by the defense. However, Anderson was able to run down the loose ball and quickly buried her shot to open the scoring and notch the first goal of her senior campaign.

Anderson would then tally an assist on the 2-0 goal in the 12^th minute. Leading a rush down the right-wing side, she gained the circle and centered the ball into the goalmouth. The feed found the stick of fellow senior forward Rachel Crowley, who was able to redirect it home to double the Bentley lead.

The Falcons added one more on the other side of halftime, in the 39^th minute, to create the 3-0 final. It was another redirection play, as sophomore midfielder Meghan Moran drove the ball towards the goal from the right side. Anderson got her stick to it and deflected the shot home for her second goal of the evening, which capped a five-point day.

Meanwhile, the Franklin Pierce offense was able to put more threats towards the goal than it did in its opener, as the Ravens collected eight shot attempts, including three on goal. However, the offense also came up empty on its set plays, as the Ravens generated just one on-target shot off of nine penalty corners.

Junior goalkeeper Olivia Barnes (Greenwich, N.Y.) finished with nine saves against 12 shots on goal and suffered the loss (0-2) in front of the Franklin Pierce goal. At the other end of the field, sophomore Kayleigh Vogel (1-0) stopped all three shots on her cage to open the season with a shutout.

The Ravens return to the field on Tuesday, Sept. 10, when they remain home to host Assumption in a non-conference contest. Game time is set for 4 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).