RINDGE, N.H. (September 30, 2017) – The Franklin Pierce University field hockey team faced its third straight nationally ranked opponent on Saturday afternoon, and this time they matched up with the smothering defense of No. 3 LIU Post. The Pioneers held the Ravens without a shot on goal on the day and got a pair of goals from All-America junior forward Emily Miller to post a 2-0 win in Northeast-10 Conference play at Sodexo Field.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 5-5 (2-3 NE10), while LIU Post improves to 7-1 (3-1 NE10). LIU Post dominated the run of play throughout, to the tune of advantages of 11-1 in shot attempts, 6-0 in shots on goal and 11-2 in penalty corners.

The Pioneers got the only goal they would need in the 11^th minute, with the 14^th of the season for Miller, who ranks second in the NE10 in goal scoring. Off of a turnover, the play turned into a 2-on-0 against the goalkeeper down low, after senior forward Kaycee Zelkovsky pushed the ball ahead on the left side to freshman midfielder Sammy Bell, who was behind the defense. Bell sent a pass beyond the reach of senior goalkeeper Meaghan Williams (Salem, N.H.) to Miller at the right post for the easy finish.

The second LIU Post goal would be the result of a defensive breakdown as well, which resulted in Miller alone behind the defense again. A ball from the midfield by Bell sprung Miller on the breakaway. Once Miller was five yards from goal, she was so far behind the defense she had time to pull up, pick her spot and drive a high shot inside the left post for her 15^th goal of the campaign. It marked Miller's fifth multiple-goal outing of the season, in just eight games.

Williams (5-5) finished with three saves against five shots on goal, while junior back Sarah Bjorn (Holden, Mass.) chipped in a defensive save as well for the Ravens. At the other end of the field, freshman goalkeeper Rachel Vellis (7-1) did not face a shot on goal while posting her second shutout of the season. 

The Ravens return to the field on Wednesday, Oct. 4, when they remain home to host Saint Michael's in an NE10 contest. Game time is set for 4 p.m. 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).