Ravens Clinch Final Four Spot After 2-1 Thriller Over Shepherd

RINDGE, N.H. (12/7/24) - The Franklin Pierce women's soccer team continues to dance through the NCAA tournament as they defeated Shepherd University 2-1 in regulation to send them to the Final Four for the first time since 2007.  

Score: Franklin Pierce 2, Shepherd 1  

Records: Franklin Pierce (19-3-2, 7-2-1 NE-10), Shepherd (18-2-4, 13-1-2 PSAC East)  

Location: Sodexho Field, Rindge, N.H. 

Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024  

HOW IT HAPPENED:   

• The Rams were in control for the majority of the first half as they controlled possession 63% to the Ravens 37%. The Rams mustered a couple of offensive opportunities with nine shots in the half with two of them being on target. The Ravens didn't record a shot until Mikayla Horton (East Islip, N.Y.) shot one right at Rams goalkeeper Hannah Wilt late in the first half.  

• The scoreless game would continue into the second half until the Ravens were awarded a corner in the 55th minute and took advantage of it. Jenni Huttunen (Suomi, Finland) played a quick give-and-go to Olivia Crespo (Ludlow, Mass.) with Huttunen dribbling through defenders, and with some space ripped a shot from the left side of the box that snuck its way in the top left of the net changing the momentum of the game in favor of the Ravens.  

• Then in the 75th minute, another Raven corner brought about another great opportunity. Aino Martikainen (Järvenpää, Finland) was fouled on the initial cross in the box which gave the Ravens a penalty kick. Martikainen gave the ball to Huttunen to collect her second goal of the game. Huttunen then slid it into the bottom left corner to extend the lead to 2-0.  

• But the Rams would strike back with eight minutes left to go as Josie Beezel received a cross from Lydia Gable, and with a nice touch put it past Emilie Fox (Bridgewater, Mass.) to cut the deficit down to one goal. However, the Ravens managed to kill the remaining time and clinch their spot into the Final Four.  

INSIDE THE LINES:  

• Senior goalkeeper Emilie Fox would earn the win, making 3 saves in her 19th win of the season.   

• The Ravens were outshot by the Rams 16 to 8.   

• The Ravens had 4 corner kicks while the Rams had 3. 

• The Ravens collected three yellow cards while the Rams picked up two.   

UP NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: With today's win, the women's soccer team advances to the Final Four for the first time since 2007. They will face Cal Poly Pomona in the Final Four which starts December 13th in Matthews, North Carolina. The match is set for 6 PM.