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Posted: Oct 25, 2008

Franklin Pierce Rallies Past Merrimack, 2-1

Franklin Pierce Rallies Past Merrimack, 2-1
Box Score

Freshman Viktor Gonçalves scored both Franklin Pierce goals in today's 2-1 win at Merrimack. PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes.

Gonçalves double leads Ravens back from a goal down

Boxscore 

RINDGE, N.H. (October 25, 2008) - Defending NCAA Division II Champion Franklin Pierce University, ranked ninth in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II East Regional poll, got back in the hunt for a fourth-straight Northeast-10 regular season title with a key 2-1 victory at Merrimack College, ranked seventh in the region, in men's soccer action at Warriors Field this afternoon.

Franklin Pierce (11-6-1, 9-2-1 NE-10) can claim at least a share of the NE-10 regular season title with a win at American International College in its regular season finale on Wednesday night (Lusitano Stadium, Ludlow, Mass., 7 p.m.) if Southern New Hampshire University (13-1-3, 9-0-3 NE-10) draws at UMass Lowell that night. The Ravens would clinch the title outright if UMass Lowell picks up the victory.

Freshman Viktor Gonçalves (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) scored both Franklin Pierce goals as the Ravens overcame a one goal deficit just eight minutes into the match. Junior Sean Ahern (Somers, Conn./Somers) assisted on one of the Gonçalves goals. 


Freshman goalkeeper Vinny Papageorgiou made three saves to preserve the win. PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes.

Freshman goalkeeper Vinny Papageorgiou (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) made three saves to preserve the victory for Franklin Pierce. Senior Rob Pedra (South Hamilton, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham) stopped four shots for Merrimack. The Ravens finished with a 13-7 advantage in shots for the match.

Merrimack junior Greg Motta (Saunderstown, R.I./LaSalle) opened the scoring when he knocked in a corner kick from senior Wayne Sygrove (Yorkshire, England) just eight minutes into the contest.

Franklin Pierce equalized just shy of the half-hour mark when Gonçalves knocked in a loose rebound off a shot from Ahern for his tenth goal of the season. Gonçalves added his 11th in the 54th minute when he fired in a loose ball off a failed clearing attempt by the Merrimack defense in front of the goal which would hold up as the winner.

Franklin Pierce will host a Northeast-10 Quarterfinal round match next Sunday, November 2 (time/opponent TBA). Merrimack (9-4-3, 6-4-2 NE-10) visits Stonehill College on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.