SYRACUSE, N.Y. (March 18, 2019) – The defending national champions looked every bit the part on Monday afternoon, as No. 1 nationally ranked Le Moyne posted a first-half shutout on the way to dealing the Franklin Pierce University women's lacrosse team a 14-3 defeat in Northeast-10 Conference play at Ted Grant Field. Sophomore attack Erin McMullen (4-0-4) and junior midfielder Julia Sardella (3-1-4) notched four points each to lead the way for the Dolphins, while freshman attack Savannah Ernst (America Fork, Utah) had a pair of goals for Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 3-2 (2-2 NE10), while Le Moyne improves to 6-0 (2-0 NE10).

The first half was all Le Moyne, as the Dolphins built an 11-0 lead heading into halftime. Le Moyne struck five times in the opening 3:05, and continued to stretch the margin from there. Sardella and McMullen scored three times apiece in the opening stanza, while junior attack Sidney Hall added a pair of goals.

Things were even in the second half, with each side scoring three times, as Le Moyne went on to the 14-3 victory. McMullen added her fourth and final goal of the afternoon, while Ernst potted her pair for the Ravens. Sophomore attack Caroline Lounsbury (Franklin, Mass.) added a goal along the way for Franklin Pierce as well.

Outside of the two goal-scorers, an assist by freshman attack Morgan Baxendale (Orchard Park, N.Y.) marked the only other offensive output for the Ravens. Freshman goalkeeper Megan Bacik (Huntington Station, N.Y.) picked up a team-best three ground balls, while she and freshman defender Madisyn Van Horn (Pulaski, N.Y.) each caused a pair of turnovers.

In addition to the output from McMullen and Sardella, Hall (2-1-3) notched a three-point day for Le Moyne. Junior goalkeeper Hannah George led all players with four ground balls, while senior attack Bryanna Fazio snagged a game-high nine draw controls.

Bacik (3-2) started in net for Franklin Pierce and finished with seven saves against 19 shots on goal over the opening 39:35. Junior Casey Butera (West Milford, N.J.) surrendered two goals over the final 20:05.

George (6-0) also logged the opening 39:35 and made two saves against four shots. Sophomore Emily Baldwin followed and stopped three of four shots over the final 20:05.

The Ravens return to the field on Friday, March 22, when they travel to Felician for a non-conference contest. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Lyndhurst Recreation Complex in Lyndhurst, N.J. 

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 lacrosse apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (https://www.fpuravens.com/store).