Williams Sets Shutout Record as Field Hockey Outlasts No. 6 Pace, 1-0

Highlights

RINDGE, N.H. (October 14, 2017) – There was no shortage of corner attempts in the second half on Saturday afternoon at Sodexo Field. At least at the north end of the field, there was not. Chasing a one-goal deficit since the fourth minute, No. 6 nationally ranked pace rang up 13 penalty corners in the second period. Senior goalkeeper Meaghan Williams (Salem, N.H.) and the defense of the Franklin Pierce University field hockey team stood tall on each of the 13 though. The Ravens surrendered just three on-target shots amid the barrage, and made an early goal from junior forward Ashley Silva (Laconia, N.H.) hold up for the 1-0, upset win in Northeast-10 Conference play.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 8-6 (5-4 NE10), while Pace falls to 12-2 (6-2 NE10).

The shutout for Williams was the 10^th of her career. She became the first goalkeeper in program history to reach double digits in shutouts, and established a new program record by moving in front of Brittany Nyzio '12 on the all-time list. It was also the 28^th career win for Williams, extending her own program record.

The only goal of the afternoon came just 3:13 into the proceedings, off the stick of Silva in the fourth minute. Off of a restart after a foul, sophomore back Jessica Strassburg (Longmeadow, Mass.) sent a long service into the circle from the left side of the midfield. Approximately 10 yards in front of the left post, Silva got her stick to the feed, but the ball jumped behind her, leading to a one-on-one battle for the ball against a defender. Silva won the battle and immediately pushed a shot towards the cage. The shot slipped just inside the left post, along the ground, for Silva's fourth goal of the season, and the only score the Ravens would need.

Franklin Pierce controlled the run of play in the first half. Over the opening 35 minutes, the Ravens amassed advantages of 7-2 in shot attempts, 2-0 in shots on goal and 4-0 in penalty corners.

The tables turned in the second half though, with the Ravens under siege for much of the stanza. Pace piled up 13 corners after halftime, including six in the final 10 minutes, as the Setters pushed for the tying goal. Pace attempted nine shots in the second half, but was only able to put three on goal. Each of Pace's on-target shots came in the game's final 10 minutes, and each was turned aside.

Williams (8-6) was forced to make only two saves on the day, but the second was a game-saver. Off of a penalty corner in the 64^th minute, Pace junior forward Halley Rose fired a shot from the top of the circle. Lunging to her right, Williams was able to get her foot to it and kick the ball away before it slipped inside the left post.

The final save of the game was provided by the defense, rather than Williams. Early in the 68^th minute, the Setters ran a corner play which wound up with the ball coming back to junior midfielder Rachel Platko -- who had inserted the ball -- near the left post. Platko got off a shot from close range on the left side. Williams got a piece of the shot, but not enough to stop it. Instead, Strassburg was on the scene on the goal line, just inside the left post, and kept the ball out of the cage.

At the other end of the field, Pace senior goalkeeper Lesly Sanchez Alvarez (12-2) finished with two saves against three shots on goal and took the loss.

The Ravens return to the field on Wednesday, Oct. 18, when they close out the home portion of their schedule with an NE10 contest against American International. 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).