#1 Franklin Pierce Opens With Win Over Bridgeport, 2-1
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Gonçalves nets brace in collegiate debut to lead reigning National Champions to season-opening victory
RINDGE, N.H. (August 28, 2008) - Defending NCAA Division II Champion Franklin Pierce University, ranked No. 1 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas preseason poll, opened its season with a 2-1 victory over the University of Bridgeport on day one of the 2008 Labor Day Classic at Sodexo Field tonight.
Freshman forward Viktor Gonçalves (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) made a big splash in his collegiate debut, netting both second-half goals for Franklin Pierce off the bench. Senior Marek Hawrylik (Olsztyn, Poland/The Winchendon (Mass.) School) added an assist on Gonçalves match-winning goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Carl Contrascier (Hinkley, Ohio/Hinkley) made one first half save to preserve the win in his debut for the Ravens.
Freshman Patric Brundin (Goteborg, Sweden) netted the goal for Bridgeport, while sophomore goalkeeper Milos Suljagic (Belgrade, Serbia) made two saves in goal.
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After a scoreless opening half of play in which Franklin Pierce out-shot Bridgeport, 4-1, the Ravens opened the scoring when Gonçalves opened his scoring account by knocking in a loose ball after a failed clear attempt by the Bridgeport defense 4:19 into the second half. Bridgeport equalized just over ten minutes later, when Brundin pounced on a failed clear by Franklin Pierce and slotted the ball into the goal at 59:49.
Gonçalves bagged the winning goal in the 72nd minute, when he one-timed a sharp low cross from the left channel by Hawrylik at the far post to complete his debut brace.
Franklin Pierce finished the match with a 6-4 advantage in shots, with corner kicks even at three aside. Bridgeport also cleared a ball of its defensive line in the 32nd minute on a header by sophomore back Adit Phataraprasit (Bangkok, Thailand) off a corner kick.
Franklin Pierce (1-0, 0-0 NE-10) is back in action for day two of the Labor Day Classic on Saturday night, when it hosts Dominican College of Blauvelt (N.Y.) at 7:30 p.m. Dominican (1-0) opened its season with a commanding 3-0 victory over Southern Connecticut State University (0-1) in tonight's opening match. Bridgeport (0-1, 0-0 ECC) will face Southern Connecticut at Sodexo Field on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.