Miranda and Wright net goals to hand defending National Champions first defeat

Boxscore

RINDGE, N.H. (August 30, 2008) - Dominican College handed defending National Champion Franklin Pierce University, ranked No. 1 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II preseason poll, its first loss of the year with a 2-0 decision on day two of the Franklin Pierce Labor Day Classic at Sodexo Field tonight.

Dominican handed Franklin Pierce its first loss since a 1-0 overtime loss to Merrimack College in the semifinal round of the 2007 Northeast-10 Conference Tournament last November. The Chargers got goals in each half from sophomore Edwin Miranda (Stamford, Conn./Westhill) and junior Joe Wright (Stratford-Upon-Avon, England), respectively.

Freshman goalkeeper Brandon Heembrock (Ottawa, Ontario/St. Mark Catholic) didn't face a shot on goal in posting his second-straight shutout to start his collegiate career. Franklin Pierce posted an 11-6 advantage in shots for the match, including 10-4 in the second half, but its inability to test Heembrock with a shot on target provided no chance for victory.

Sophomore Carl Contrascier (Hinkley, Ohio/Highland) made one save in goal for the Ravens.

Chances were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes. Dominican had two of the three combined shots in the half, with Miranda netting the opener 35:22 into the match on the Chargers second shot. He took advantage when Contrascier was unable to collect a loose ball on the end line and the Ravens defensive clear went straight to Miranda stepping into the shot and finding the upper left corner of the goal.

Wright provided a two-goal cushion 9:16 into the second half, taking a pass from freshman Alan Heavey (Huntington Station, N.Y./Walt Whitman), and his knuckling volley from the top of the 18 on the right side fooled the Franklin Pierce keeper and found the left side of the net.

Franklin Pierce (1-1, 0-0 NE-10) looks to get back on track next Saturday, when it visits 9^th-ranked Dowling College in a rematch of last year's NCAA Quarterfinal at 7 p.m. The Ravens are back at Sodexo Field on Tuesday, September 9, to host Le Moyne College in their Northeast-10 opener at 3:30 p.m. Dominican (2-0, 0-0 CACC) hosts Le Moyne on Wednesday at 2 p.m.