Ashley Moirano and Jordan Baillargeon each score three times for the Ravens

BOXSCORE                                           

RINDGE, N.H. (March 31, 2010) – The Franklin Pierce University women’s lacrosse team lost a hard fought overtime thriller to local rival Keene State, 16-15, Wednesday night at Sodexo Field in Rindge. The Ravens fell to 2-4 overall, while the Owls (Little East Conference) improved to 3-3.

Junior attackers Ashley Moirano (Vero Beach, Fla.) and Jordan Baillargeon (Westfield, Mass.) scored three goals apiece to lead the Ravens’ offensive attack. Three other Ravens, Brianna Nash (Oceanside, N.Y.), Christine McKay (Norwood, Mass.) and Courtney Webber (Centerport, N.Y.), each scored a pair of goals to round out the scoring for the Ravens.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jillian Bolduc (Atkinson, N.H.) played very well despite the tough setback, as she made nine saves.

Keene State got outstanding contributions from Jaime Albert (Southington, Conn.) and Caitlyn Corace (Standish, Maine),  as they led the Owls with nine combined goals and five assists. They were the catalysts for Keene State opening the game by scoring five of the first six goals.

The Ravens displayed great character as they came back from a 5-1 deficit with 17 minutes left in the first half following goals from Nash, Baillargeon, and Lauren Stille (North Quincy, Mass.). With 21 seconds left in the first half, McKay ripped a shot that found the back of the net to cut Keene State’s lead to 7-5 heading into halftime.

The scoring fury for both teams started right from the beginning of the second half. The Ravens scored quickly, 15 seconds into the half, when freshman Courtney Webber (Centerport, N.Y.) notched a goal to bring Franklin Pierce to within one at 7-6. However, the Owls tossed in three quick goals in a little more than one minute to extend their lead out to 10-6.

Keene State continued to hold its lead until six minutes remaining in the second half when freshman Ashley Lamagdeleine (Westfield, Mass.) scored a tally off a brilliant pass from Baillargeon, to give the Ravens their first lead of the game at 14-13. The Owls continued their strong offensive play, scoring two goals in nearly 30 seconds to take back the lead with five minutes to play.

Moirano displayed veteran skills late in the contest as she drew a foul and was awarded a free position shot with 1:47 left on the clock. Moirano took the game in her hands and sniped a top corner goal off the free position attack to knot the game at 15-15. Neither team was able to score the rest of the way and the game moved into overtime.

The Owls’ Emily Persano (Somers, Conn) scored her third goal of the game with just 48 seconds remaining in the first overtime, and it would prove to be the game-winner. Neither side could score in the second overtime as Keene State hung tough for the one-goal victory.

Franklin Pierce returns to action this Saturday, when it plays host to Southern Connecticut State at 12 p.m. in Sodexo Field.

For more information on Franklin Pierce women's lacrosse, please visit the team's page at athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.)