Ravens held to school-record third scoreless draw of the season

KEENE, N.H. (October 17, 2002) - Franklin Pierce, ranked sixth in this week's New England regional poll, and Merrimack College, ranked No. 20 in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, battled to a scoreless draw in Northeast-10 Conference men's soccer action at Keene State College's Owl Stadium this afternoon.

It marks a school-record third scoreless draw of the season for Franklin Pierce and its fourth tie of the season matches the program record set in 1981.

Franklin Pierce junior goalkeeper Domenico Roma (Windsor, Ontario/Ste. Annes) preserved the tie with five saves for his fourth shutout of the season (eighth career), while Merrimack sophomore Keith Boudreau posted two stops in claiming his fifth shutout of the season.

Merrimack finished with a 12-11 advantage in shots for the match, but Franklin Pierce had the higher quality of chances to take a lead. With 4:30 to go before halftime, a rocket by Warriors junior Eric Barbosa had Roma beat, but caromed harmlessly off the crossbar. Senior Nick Perretti was open in the penalty area midway through the second overtime period, but Roma came out to smother the opportunity before Perretti could gather the loose ball.

Franklin Pierce's chances began opening up in the second half. Sophomore Michael Black (Guilford, Conn./Guilford) broke in on goal, but Boudreau raced out to challenge and register the save before Black could get a high quality shot.

Junior Felix Brillant (Montreal, Quebec/College Francais) began a final Ravens flurry in the closing two-minutes of regulation, as he was sent in one-on-one with Boudreau. Brillant corralled the bouncing ball on the artificial turf a sent a shot that was deflected to sophomore Kyle Miller (Newburgh, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) for a shot that whistled over the crossbar with 1:30 to play.

Miller had the best chance of the match with 45-seconds left in the second half, but missed a shot to the far post by just inches.

Franklin Pierce (6-3-4, 3-2-4 NE-10) returns to the pitch on Saturday when it hosts Bryant College for a key Conference and regional battle as part of Homecoming Weekend festivities at 1 p.m. Merrimack (10-3-2, 7-3-1 NE-10) hosts Assumption College on Sunday at 10 a.m.

Franklin Pierce 0, Merrimack 0

Scoring Summary: None.
Goalkeepers: MC: Keith Boudreau (110:00), two saves; FP: Domenico Roma (110:00) five saves.
Shots: MC: 12, FP: 11