Hanover, N.H. (01/3/2024) -- For the first time ever, the Franklin Pierce Ravens defeated the Dartmouth Big Green at Thompson Arena behind a 52 save effort from Jill Hertl. The team also pitched in with 28 blocked shots, here's more on the night from the Ravens. 

Score: Franklin Pierce 3, Dartmouth 2 
Records: Franklin Pierce (8-10-0, 7-8-0 NEWHA); Dartmouth (4-13-1, 1-9-1 ECAC) 
Location: Hanover, N.H. Thompson Arena 
Date: Wednesday January 3rd, 2024

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

Despite a strong 13 save effort from sophomore netminder Jill Hertl, the Ravens could not capitalize on their limited chances in the opening frame. Head Coach David Stockdale's team played a strong defensive period as eight skaters recorded at least one blocked shot. Ashley Wright lead the way on defense with three shot blocks in the opening frame. The Ravens put up nine shot attempts in the first period to 30 for the Big Green. 

Despite a strong period in net again from Hertl, the Big Green finally broke through in the second. On a power play, Lauren Messier took a feed for Dartmouth on the low left wall by the faceoff dot. She took advantage of ample time and space in front of her to walk in and put the ice breaking score of the night past Hertl for the first of the night. A few minutes later Alexandra Cistolo was setup to make history. The rookie from Berea, Ohio took the puck on a strong cycle and wired home a strong shot from near the blue line to equalize things. Her first career goal is only the second for the Ravens at Thompson Arena and the first since a Becca Kniss tally came for the Ravens on December 13,2019. That tally would provide the score at second intermission as Hertl would head to the break with 29 saves on 30 total shots. Wright lead the team through two periods with four blocked shots and was credited with an assist on the Cistolo marker. 

At 15:40 left in regulation it looked like Tiffany Hill gave Dartmouth the lead on a turnover in the slot. Stockdale challenged the goal for interference as it was ruled Hill did not allow Hertl to play her position by crashing into her in the blue paint. The goal was waived off. 2:29 later, on the power-play, the Ravens flew ahead. Claire Casey fired a point shot that went off Rogers in Dartmouth's net and over to Emilie Prive on the left goal line. She fired the go-ahead goal past Rogers at no angle and gave the Ravens their first ever lead at Thompson Arena. 13:08 into the frame after more hard work on defense for the Ravens, Memphis Mertens won a turnover battle and got it to Mikayla Kelley. She moved it to Casey who put the puck home for her second point of the night and the third Franklin Pierce goal. With 3:10 left on the extra attacker, Dartmouth would get the next review to go her way. Kenzie Bachelor re-directed a puck past Hertl to bring the Big Green within one. The officials awarded the goal on video review after the goal was initially waved off for a called high stick. There was clear evidence it was not and the goal was allowed. Hertl made several more grade a saves down the stretch to finish with 53 saves on 55 shots faced. 13 Ravens skaters had at least one blocked shot with Kylie Huseth and Ashley Wright leading the way with four a piece.

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The team returns home to Winchendon to take on St Michaels College in their second half NEWHA opener this Friday at 4:00 PM.