Field Hockey Drops Heartbreaker To No. 5 Massachusetts Lowell, 3-2, On Senior Day
Debler, Jaksina score for Ravens
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The Ravens honored their five-player senior class before the start
of Saturday's game against Massachusetts Lowell. Players, from
left-to-right: Ashley Abernethy, Gina Lanni, Katie Debler, Samantha
Newman, Elyse Tourangeau.RINDGE, N.H. (October 17,
2009) – Junior forward Sammy Macy scored with 1:54
remaining in regulation on Saturday afternoon to break a 2-2 tie
and allow No. 5 nationally ranked Massachusetts Lowell to escape
with a 3-2 victory over the Franklin Pierce University field hockey
team in Northeast-10 Conference play at Sodexo Field. Senior
forward Katie Debler (Walpole, Mass.) and
sophomore midfielder Kimberly Jaksina (Townsend,
Mass.) scored in defeat for Franklin Pierce.
With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 7-9 (3-5 Northeast-10),
while Massachusetts Lowell improves to 14-3 (6-2 Northeast-10) with
the victory. Franklin Pierce honored its five-player senior class
prior to the start of the game.
The Ravens struck quickly in the first half to put Lowell back on
its heels. Freshman midfielder Alyssa Juszczyk (Warren,
Mass.) pushed the ball into the circle from the left side.
Her pass found Debler at the left post and Debler stuffed it home
for her third goal of the season to give Franklin Pierce a 1-0 lead
just 28 seconds into the contest.
Massachusetts Lowell would even the game at 1-1 with just 3:22 to
play in the first half. Junior midfielder Liz Day took a shot from
the right side which was turned aside by the defense. However,
junior forward Katie Enaire corralled the loose ball and put it
into the cage for her 14th goal of the season.
Massachusetts Lowell held a slim, 7-5 advantage in shots in the
first half, but was awarded seven penalty corners to just one for
Franklin Pierce.
The River Hawks then took the lead only 5:12 into the second half.
Again it was Day who got the ball to Enaire. Enaire took a shot
from outside the circle, which found its way off the defense and
into the net to give Enaire her second goal of the season and give
Massachusetts Lowell a 2-1 lead.
The score would remain 2-1 until the final 10 minutes of the
contest. With 8:15 to play in regulation, the River Hawk defense
was whistled for falling on the ball in the circle, which resulted
in a penalty stroke from Franklin Pierce. Jaksina stood over the
stroke and found the back of the cage for her fourth goal of the
season.
However, Massachusetts Lowell would net the game-winner with just
1:54 to play in regulation. After being held quiet all day, Macy
got her stick to the ball amidst a scramble out front to pick up
her conference-leading 21st goal of the season. Senior midfielder
Molly Clay was credited with the assist.
The River Hawks ramped up the offense in the second half, to the
tune of a 15-4 shots advantage, which gave them a 22-9 edge over
the course of the game.
Sophomore goalkeeper Brittany Nyzio (Attleboro,
Mass.) made nine saves against 12 shots, including a key
sprawling save in the second half, but took the loss (6-8) in front
of the cage for Franklin Pierce. Junior Amy Carbon stopped three of
five shots on her cage to pick up the win (11-3) between the pipes
for Massachusetts Lowell.
The Ravens return to the field on Wednesday, Oct. 21, when they
remain home to host Saint Anselm in a Northeast-10 Conference
contest. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Sodexo Field.