Franklin Pierce Falls to No. 19 Southern N.H. in OT, 2-1

Tajiou goal caps battle of penalty kicks in 100th minute

MANCHESTER, N.H. (October 13, 2001) - Southern New Hampshire University, ranked No. 19 in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division II poll, picked up a huge 2-1 overtime victory over Franklin Pierce in Northeast-10 Conference men's soccer action at Penmen Field this afternoon.

Southern New Hampshire striker Mounir Tajiou netted both goals, including the gamewinner with just 5:29 remaining in the first sudden-death overtime, to lead the Penmen, ranked third in the New England region, to their sixth-straight victory.

Sophomore Mike Savastra set up the gamewinning score when he intercepted a clearing pass in the Franklin Pierce zone and broke down the left flank. He then sent a cross to Tajiou, who tapped the pass into the open net at 99:31.

Franklin Pierce, ranked fourth in the region, opened the scoring when senior Chris Schwarz (Babenhausen, Germany/Viktoria Aschaffenburg) converted a penalty kick at 25:43. The Ravens were awarded the kick after the Penmen were whistled for a handball during a scramble in front of their goal.

SNHU got the equalizer when Tajiou was pulled down in the box by an Franklin Pierce defender. He converted the penalty with just 1:20 left in the first half.

The Penmen outshot the Ravens by an overwhelming 18-6 margin and Tobias Svantesson recorded three saves for SNHU. Franklin Pierce sophomore Dominico Roma (Windsor, Ontario/Ste. Annes) posted four saves in goal.

Franklin Pierce (8-4, 5-4 NE-10) returns to action on Monday afternoon when it hosts the University of New Haven in a make up their postponed season-opener at 3 p.m. Southern New Hampshire (10-2-1, 7-2 NE-10) travels to the College of Saint Rose on Wednesday.

Franklin Pierce (8-4, 5-4 NE-10) 1 0 0 - 0
Southern New Hampshire (10-2-1, 7-2 NE-10) 1 0 1 - 1

Scoring Summary:
FP: Chris Schwarz (penalty kick), 25:43; SNHU: Mounir Tajiou (penalty kick), 43:50; SNHU: Tajiou (Mike Savastra), 99:31.

Goalkeepers:
FP: Dominico Roma (99:31) four saves; SNHU: Tobias Svantesson (99:31), three saves.

Shots:
FP: 6, SNHU: 18.