RINDGE, N.H. (September 18, 2018) – This time, the deficit proved too big for the Franklin Pierce University field hockey team. The Ravens – who have made a habit of staging come-from-behind wins – found themselves facing a 2-0 halftime deficit on Tuesday night at Sodexo Field. This time though, the crimson and grey could not cut into the deficit, as No. 7 nationally ranked Merrimack continued on to a 3-0 victory in the non-conference contest. Senior back Samantha Bartush scored twice in the victory for the Warriors.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 3-2, while Merrimack improves to 4-1.

Merrimack picked up the only goal it would need on Tuesday in the 19^th minute. The original shot on the play came from the middle of the circle and came off the stick of junior back Miranda Judd in the aftermath of a penalty corner. Franklin Pierce sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Barnes (Greenwich, N.Y.) came up with the save on the play, but the rebound stayed in play, outside the right post. Junior midfielder Jessica Palmer was on the scene and quickly sent the ball into the back of the cage for her fourth goal of the season.

The Warriors would tack on another tally just prior to halftime, in the 35^th minute, this time directly off of a corner. Senior midfielder Mary McNeil inserted on the corner and sent the ball to the top of the circle for Bartush. The latter teed up her shot and drove it from there. The ball was deflected by the defense en route, but ultimately found its way behind everybody and into the goal for Bartush's second goal of the campaign.

Bartush would also tack on a late insurance tally, in the 65^th minute, to create the 3-0 final. Again the Warriors struck off a corner – one of the 16 corner attempts they would generate on the night – after McNeil sent the ball to the top of the circle for senior back Delaney Yule. Yule controlled there, then dished the ball off to the left for Bartush who stepped into her shot. The shooting lane had plenty of traffic, but the ball went through untouched and banged to the back of the cage to cap the scoring.

The biggest statistical difference in the game came in the penalty-corner department, as Merrimack generated 16 attempts to just six for Franklin Pierce, including a 9-1 disparity in the first half. The Warriors also enjoyed advantages of 17-12 in shot attempts and 11-10 in shots on goal. Franklin Pierce's best chances to get on the board all came off of its own corner attempts, but the Ravens ultimately came up empty.

Barnes (3-2) finished with eight saves against 11 shots on goal and suffered the loss in front of the Franklin Pierce net. Junior goalkeeper Katharina Ohmen (4-1) stopped all 10 shots on her goal at the other end of the field to pick up the win and her third shutout of the season.

The Ravens return to the field on Sunday, Sept. 23, when they remain home to host Adelphi. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at Sodexo Field.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuraves.com). 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 (https://www.fpuravens.com/store).