O’Leary Double Lifts Field Hockey to 2-1 Win at Dowling in Season Opener

Williams notches three saves to win in collegiate debut

SHIRLEY, N.Y. (September 6, 2014) – Sophomore midfielder Shannon O'Leary (Florence, Mass.) put away a penalty stroke goal in each half of Saturday afternoon to lead the Franklin Pierce University field hockey team to a 2-1 win over Dowling in non-conference play at Golden Lions Field to open the season. Freshman forward Justine DeLuca scored the lone goal in defeat for Dowling.

With the win, Franklin Pierce opens the season at 1-0 (0-0 Northeast-10), while Dowling falls to 0-2.

Much as it did a year ago against the Golden Lions, Franklin Pierce dominated much of the run of play on Saturday afternoon on Long Island. The Ravens piled up a 10-2 edge in shot attempts in the first half, en route to a 20-6 advantage for the game, which included a 15-4 margin in shots on goal. Franklin Pierce also earned 14 penalty corners, against just five for Dowling.

Despite the disadvantages, it was Dowling which struck first, 11:55 into the proceedings. DeLuca put away her first collegiate goal from five feet in front of the cage, as she finished off an assist from sophomore midfielder Amanda DeGennaro.

The Ravens evened things with 13:28 to play in the first half, as they were awarded a penalty stroke. O'Leary, who also took three of Franklin Pierce's four strokes a year ago as a freshman, beat Dowling junior goalkeeper Ariana Ovadia to even the game at 1-1. The score remained level into the halftime break.

Franklin Pierce was awarded another stroke after the midway point of the second half, with 10:13 to play in regulation. Again, O'Leary was chosen to take it, and again she beat Ovadia, for what would be the game's final goal, as well as the game-winner. For O'Leary, it was her first career multiple-goal game, as well as her first career game-winning goal. All three of her career goals have come on penalty strokes, and she is now 3-for-5 in her career from the spot.

Freshman goalkeeper Meaghan Williams (Salem, N.H.) got the start in front of the net for Franklin Pierce in her collegiate debut and made three saves to pick up the win (1-0). At the other end of the field, Ovadia was peppered with 15 shots on goal and finished with 13 saves, but was stuck with the loss (0-2) anyway.

The Ravens return to the field on Friday, Sept. 12, when they travel to Southern Connecticut State for a non-conference contest. Game time is set for 5 p.m. at Jess Dow Field in New Haven, Conn.

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).