RINDGE, N.H. (October 6, 2021) – The No. 1 nationally-ranked Franklin Pierce University men's soccer team defeated Saint Anselm, 2-0, on Wednesday night behind a pair of goals by graduate student forward Miguel Angel Pastor Gutierrez (Valencia, Spain) at Sodexo Field.

The Ravens improve to a perfect 10-0-0 (6-0-0 NE10), while the Hawks fall to 4-5-0 (2-4-0 NE10). Franklin Pierce has outscored the opposition 23-2 so far this season.

Franklin Pierce attempted nine of its 22 shots in the first 45 minutes, putting three on target highlighted by scoring chances from freshman Bernardo Prego (Evora, Portugal) and Pastor Angel Gutierrez in the 29th minute as both found frame with shot attempts that were saved by Saint Anselm goalkeeper Brian Underhill.

The Crimson and Grey broke through in the 47th-minute on Angel Pastor Gutierrez's first goal after corralling a pass from Prego and dribbling around Saint Anselm defenders, chipping the ball into the top left of the net. The goal marked the first of the season.

Franklin Pierce added some cushion to their lead in the final seconds of the match. Scoring at the 89:54-mark, Angel Pastor Gutierrez shot the ball from deep out on the left side of the pitch, sailing it straight into the back of the vacant net, as the Hawks goalkeeper was moved up field on a free kick opportunity.

Junior goalkeeper Kosta Maniatis (Montreal, Quebec) earned the shutout victory, having to make no saves on the night. With the win, Maniatis recorded his sixth shutout of the year and moves to 8-0-0. Saint Anselm's Brian Underhill drew the loss, making seven saves on nine shots faced, and falls to 4-5-0 on the season.

The Crimson and Grey outshot the Hawks 22-0 in the match. Graduate students Pedro Juan Vicente (Elche, Spain) and Jonas Cervera Anchel (Chiva, Spain) led the team in shots with four apiece. The Ravens also registered a total of eight corner kicks.  

The Ravens return to action on Saturday, October 9, when they play host to Southern Connecticut State for a 7 p.m. match at Sodexo Field.