RINDGE, N.H. (March 8, 2015) –  The Franklin Pierce women's lacrosse team prevailed on a goal in the final 30 seconds by senior Geena Franciosi (South Easton, Mass.)  from Lauren Beville (Jamesville, N.Y) to post the 15-14 victory over Saint Thomas Aquinas on Sunday afternoon at Sodexo Field.

With the win, the Ravens bump their record to 1-1, while Saint Thomas Aquinas falls 1-1.

The Spartans reclaimed their lead with two goals, holding a 8-6 lead by 8:32. Caitlin Sweeney  and Briana Sweeney scored back to back goals to once again tie the game 8-8 by 5:41. Beville's goal at 2:50 from freshman Anna Wilbert (Bohemia, N.Y.) gave the Ravens the lead for the first time in the game, 9-8. A goal in the final second of the first half off a free position shot by senior Julia Smiley (Saunderstown, R.I.) ended the half with a 10-8 Raven advantage.

The second half was a battle for the win. Senior Kellie Kucinski started the half off with a goal bringing the game within one. Wilbert scored unassisted to keep the lead, but back to back goals by graduate student Courtney McGrath and senior Ruth Pluviose  tied the game at 22:45.

Junior Nicole Dale (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) from Caitlin Sweeney brought the Ravens back to a one point advantage. Minutes later senior Genevieve Stickney tied the game up once again 12-12.

The game would remain gridlocked at 12-12 until an unassisted Beville goal at 5:29 gave the Ravens back the lead. Not even a minute later, senior Kellie Kucinski answered back, with a goal two minutes later by McGrath to give the Spartans back the lead 14-13. 

In the final minute, Caitlin Sweeney tied the game on an unassisted goal. With the score 14-14, Franciosi secured the Raven win off an assist by Beville.

Caitlin Sweeney led the game with four goals and three assists, while Anna Wilbert had three goals and an assist. Lauren Beville had two goals, an assist and grabbed a ground ball, while Briana Sweeney had two goals and collected a ground ball, and Nicole Dale also had two goals. Julia Smiley collected three ground balls and posted a goal.

Courtney McGrath led the Spartans with three goals, two assists, and collected four ground balls. Kellie Kucinski and Ruth Pluviose each had three goal and an assist, while senior Samantha Lowney posted three goals and collected a ground ball.  

Sophomore Denise Hunt (Hull, Mass.)  had 44:37 minutes in the goal to pick up the win (1-0) with six saves against 14 shots, while senior Julia Coakley (Bridgewater, Mass.) saved two against eight shots in her 15:23 minutes. Junior Kaitlyn Lonergan collected five saves against her 20 shots for the Spartans during her full 60:00 minutes in the net.

The Ravens return to the field on Saturday, March 13, to host Tiffin. Opening faceoff is set for 3:00 pm. at Sodexo Field

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 men's lacrosse apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).