Article written by Director of Athletic Communications Luke Tracy

Raven Standouts:
Younes Addar Khanoussi – 2 goals
Antonio Lampreia Lima – 1 goal, 1 assist
Alvaro Rey Mira – 1 goal, 1 assist
Aaron Sanchez Sanchez – 1 goal, 1 assist
Rodrigo Parafita Bestilliero – 1 goal
Sekou Kamara – 1 goal
Joao Valente – 1 goal
Aitor Cuenca Retuerto – 2 assists

COLCHESTER, VT. (9/20/23)—The number 1 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce University men's soccer program traveled to Northern Vermont Wednesday and as the bus engines were cooling down from the long drive, the Ravens offense was firing on all cylinders in an 8-1 dominant win over the Purple Knights of Saint Michael's College.

With the win, the Ravens improve to a 5-0 (2-0, NE10) record, the Purple Knights move on with a 2-3-1 (1-1, NE10) record.

Just 12 minutes into the game, the Purple Knights took the 1-0 lead after the Ravens accidentally scored on themselves. Saint Mike's sophomore forward Jack Andrews worked to get by the Ravens defense and kicked a the ball across the offensive zone. FPU freshman defender Joaquin Lauria Calvo (Salta, Argentina) went to stop the ball, but ended up redirecting it and the ball slipped by senior goalie Karl Vernet (Miami, Fla.).

Just under two minutes after the accidental goal, the Ravens evened the score. FPU graduate student Aitor Cuenca Retuerto (Bilbao, Spain) kicked the ball just above the box which was redirected from the head of sophomore midfielder Antonio Lampreia Lima (Lisbon, Portugal). The header pass then landed directly in front of FPU graduate student Younes Addar Khanoussi (Castellon, Spain) who blasted a point-blank shot by the SMC goalie.

The Ravens took their first lead of the game later in the 27^th minute. Graduate student Rodrigo Parafita Bestilliero (A Coruna, Spain) received a pass around midfield and pushed into the offensive zone. Three Purple Knight defenders closed in on him but when Bestilliero was about 25 yards from the goal he went from a full sprint to planting his right foot and unleashed a left footed missile. At first, the ball looked to be going right but curved left and picked the top left corner just out of reach of the diving St. Mikes goalie. Going up 2-1, the score remained the same until the end of the half.

Whatever adjustments were made by Franklin Pierce University head coach Travis Brent during halftime seemed to do the job because the second half for the Ravens included six goals from six different players.

Starting the second half, the Ravens dominated in possession time. If FPU had the ball, they would pass back-and-forth looking for gaps in the Purple Knight defense. If they saw what they liked, they'd attack but if the shot wasn't there they would resettle and attack again.

Using this tactic and wearing down their Purple Knights, the Ravens scored their third goal of the game in the 53^rd minute. Again Retuerto hit a cross and like a needle through thread, the ball slipped by the defense and connected with Khanoussi who tapped in his second goal of the game giving the Ravens a 3-1 lead.

Two minutes later, the Ravens peppered the Purple Knights goalie with three shots within two seconds and off the second rebound FPU graduate student Alvaro Rey Mira (Cabanas, Spain) finished the job blasting it by the goalie making it a 4-1 game.

Later in the 63^rd minute, Mira who had scored the last goal tacked on an assist. Deep in the FPU offensive zone Mira patiently waited for an opening and graduate student Aaron Sanchez Sanchez answered the call. Sanchez cut through, caught a pass and fired a point-blank shot scoring the Ravens 5^th goal of the game.

In the last eight minutes of the game the Ravens poured it on with three more goals from senior Jao Valente (Gaia, Portugal and sophomores Antonio Lampreia Lima (Lisbon, Portugal) and Sekou Kamara (North Providence, R.I.). When the final whistle blew, the score board read Ravens 8, Purple Knights 1.

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens are back on the road Saturday September, 23 when the team will head to The College of Saint Rose to take on the Golden Knights at 3:30 PM.