Zahensky makes five saves

RINDGE, N.H. (September 11, 2013) – Junior forward Gina Lirange scored twice on Wednesday afternoon to send No. 8 nationally ranked Bentley to a 3-0 win over the Franklin Pierce University field hockey team in non-conference play at Sodexo Field. Freshman goalkeeper Amy Zahensky (Bow, N.H.) made five saves in the loss for Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 1-1 (0-0 Northeast-10), while Bentley improves to 2-1 (0-0 Northeast-10). The two teams will meet for their Northeast-10 Conference contest on Oct. 15 in Waltham, Mass.

Bentley surged out of the gate with two goals in the first 14 minutes to jump to an early 2-0 lead. First, 7:59 into the frame, a loose ball resulted in a scramble in front of the goalmouth inside the Franklin Pierce circle. Sophomore forward Sally James was the first to find it and slotted it to the back of the cage for her first goal of the season. Just 5:45 later, a defensive breakdown inside the circle effectively created a 2-on-1 down low for Bentley. Sophomore forward Leah Winer worked the ball towards the left post along the end line from the left-wing side. She then slipped a bass in front of the goal to Lirange, who one-timed the ball inside the right post for her third goal of the season, as well as her third in the last two games.

The Ravens settled in from there, and the game played closer to even the rest of the way. Bentley enjoyed an 8-2 advantage in shot attempts in the first half, including 4-1 in shots on goal.

Franklin Pierce's best chance to score came near the middle of the second half, as the team worked the ball to junior midfielder Adria Liseno (Somersworth, N.H.), who was wide open on the right side of the circle. She wound and uncorked a shot that found the top-left corner of the cage. Unfortunately, a Bentley defender in front of the left post had to dodge out of the way to avoid being hit in the face with the shot. As such, Liseno was whistled for a dangerous lift, and the goal was disallowed. A few minutes later, a chance developed directly in front of the cage, as a loose ball came to junior forward Courtney Kelly (Plymouth, N.H.). She could not catch the shot cleanly however, as her attempt trickled wide of the right post and out of bounds.

Bentley capped the scoring with 6:20 to play, as Lirange put away her second of the game. Again, the scoring chance resulted from a scramble in the circle, this time in front of the right post. The defense was just late getting to the ball, and sent Lirange tumbling to the ground as she slipped the ball inside the right post to create the 3-0 final.

The Ravens return to the field on Saturday, Sept. 14, when they remain home to wrap up a season-opening, three-game homestand by hosting Assumption in a non-conference contest. Game time is set for noon at Sodexo Field.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). 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 field hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).