Takefusa lifts Ravens to third-straight NE-10 semifinal berth

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (October 29, 2002) - Junior striker Bjorgolfor Takefusa (Reykjavik, Iceland) totaled four points to lead sixth-seeded Franklin Pierce to a 3-1 upset of third-seeded Merrimack College, ranked No. 22 in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, in quarterfinal round action of the Northeast-10 Conference men's soccer tournament at Warrior Field this afternoon.

Franklin Pierce (10-4-4) advances to Friday's semifinal round and will travel to second-seeded and No. 13-ranked Southern New Hampshire University (14-2-2) in Manchester, N.H. Time of the match will be announced tomorrow. The Penmen advanced with a 2-1 win over seventh-seeded Le Moyne College this afternoon.

The Ravens advance to the Conference semifinals for the third-straight season and claim a quarterfinal round upset over a nationally ranked opponent for the second year in a row. Franklin Pierce posted a 2-0 win over second-seeded and No. 23-ranked Southern New Hampshire in last year's quarterfinal round as the No. 7-seed.

Franklin Pierce took command of today's match early as grad student Chris Schwarz (Babenhausen, Germany) scored just 1:58 into the contest, assisted by Takefusa and senior Richard Gordon (Glasgow, Scotland).

Gordon put the Ravens up 2-0 in the 21st minute when he drilled a shot into an open net after Takefusa charged down the left flank and into the 18-yard box before drawing a defender and Warriors sophomore keeper Keith Boudreau and sending a deflected pass to Gordon.

Merrimack cut the lead in half just 2:44 into the second half as junior Eric Barbosa converted a penalty kick after Franklin Pierce was called for a handball in the box while defending a corner kick.

Momentum didn't change for long as Merrimack senior Nick Perretti was issued a red card for a hard foul on Ravens junior Felix Brillant (Montreal, Quebec/College Francais) in the 51st minute to put the Warriors a man-down the rest of the way.

Franklin Pierce took advantage as Takefusa netted an insurance goal after deking and dodging three defenders and Boudreau for an unassisted tally at the 72:20-mark.

Ravens junior goalkeeper Domenico Roma (Windsor, Ontario/Ste. Annes) preserved the win with two saves, while Boudreau stopped seven shots for Merrimack (12-5-2).

Franklin Pierce posted a 12-10 advantage in shots for the match.

#6 Franklin Pierce 3, #3 Merrimack 1 

Scoring Summary: FP: Chris Schwarz (Bjorgolfor Takefusa, Richard Gordon), 1:58; FP: Gordon (Takefusa), 20:16; MC: Eric Barbosa (penalty kick), 47:44; FP: Takefusa (unassisted), 72:20.
Goalkeepers: FP: Domenico Roma (90:00), two saves; MC: Keith Boudreau (90:00), seven saves.
Shots: FP: 12, MC: 10