RINDGE, N.H. (March 22, 2017) – The no. 20 nationally-ranked Franklin Pierce University women's bowling team will compete at and host the 2017 East Coast Conference (ECC) Championship this coming weekend at the Yankee Lanes in Keene, N.H.

This will be the second year of the ECC Championship Tournament and the first time the Ravens have hosted fellow league bowlers. Franklin Pierce looks to improve their standing after finishing fourth last year in the conference while junior Jessica Davies (Cape Coral, Fla.) was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Franklin Pierce will not be the only team on the weekend with a national ranking as conference foe Adelphi University and eight-time ECC Bowler of the Week Rebecca Gotterbam are ranked 17th in the in the National Tenpin Coaches Association March Poll.

SCOUTING THE RAVENS

The Crimson and Grey finished the 2015-16 season last year with a 42-57 mark. They improved this season by recording their second winning campaign in three years at 52-42 as the 52 victories matched the single season program record set in the inaugural 2014-15 season.

The Ravens are led by one-time ECC Bowler of the Week Jessica Davies, fellow team captain senior Colleen Kelly (Quincy, Mass.) and two-time ECC Rookie of the Week Krysta Peirce (Lenox, Mich.). 

EARLIER THIS SEASON

This season saw the Ravens record 16 wins versus nationally-ranked opponents. The team earned their signature win of the year during day one of the Hawk Classic on November 18, 2016 against the previously no. 2 ranked and defending NCAA Champion Stephen F. Austin State University by a 1,015-900 margin. Just last weekend at the Music City Classic, the Ravens defeated the no. 5 ranked host Vanderbilt University 939-865.

During the weekend of February 10-12, FPU brought home second place during the Golden Bear Classic which was hosted by ECC foe Kutztown University. FPU completed the weekend at 9-4 with a total pinfall of 9,797 and Jessica Davies was named to All-Tournament Team.

Davies was honored with another All-Tournament Team selection during the team's eighth place finish at the New Jersey Jamboree from October 28-30. Teammate Jessica Marcure (Attleboro, Mass.) joined Davies on the All-Tournament Team by finishing the weekend in 10th place individually with an average total of 196.20. Davies finished ninth at 196.40.

The Ravens dueled conference opponents numerous times this past season and they combined for an 11-5 mark which included three wins over Kutztown and Felician College. The Ravens were 2-1 versus Lincoln Memorial University, 1-0 against Molloy College, Roberts Wesleyan College and Long Island University – Post, but failed to defeat Adelphi (0-2).

HEADING TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

If you're planning on heading to the championship here are the directions to the Yankee Lanes.

The whole weekend is free for fans, but Yankee Lanes would like to remind you that outside food and beverages will not be allowed. Tuck's Tavern will offer the fans numerous refreshment options. You can view the Tuck's Tavern menu by clicking here.

The Championship Schedule will be as follows…

Friday, March 24th…

8:55 a.m. – Competition Baker Matches...

4:10 p.m. – Double Elimination Round One…

Saturday, March 25th…

9:20 a.m. – Double Elimination Rounds Two-Six...

5:00 p.m. – Competition Ends...

Sunday, March 26th…

8:30 a.m. – Double Elimination Rounds 7-9...

Yankee Lanes will open an hour before the start of each day...

TO VIEW THE ECC WOMEN'S BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM PLEASE CLICK HERE.

WHERE TO WATCH

Can't make it to the championship? The East Coast Conference and Franklin Pierce University have you covered with live video. Franklin Pierce Bowling will broadcast their rolls live on Facebook on Friday and Saturday while the ECC will broadcast live video on YouTube Sunday.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY VIDEO | SUNDAY VIDEO

You can also view the East Coast Conference 2017 women's bowling championship page by clicking here.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce women's bowling athletic apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).