COLCHESTER, Vt. (April 3, 2015) – Freshman Briana Sweeney's (Shirley, N.Y.) four goals were not enough for the Franklin Pierce women's lacrosse team Friday afternoon. The Ravens outscored Saint Michael's 6-4 in the second half on Duffy Field, but the team took the 10-8 loss.

With the loss, the Ravens slip to 5-4 overall, and 3-4 in Northeast-10 Conference play, while Saint Micheal's improves to 3-5 overall and 3-4 in NE-10 play. 

Ten minutes into the first half, the Purple Knights took control of the game on an unassisted goal by senior Courtney Piper.  Freshman Sweeney responded to tie the game up 1-11 minutes later.  Saint Michael's would put in two more, creating a 3-1 cushion. At 8:40 Sweeney cut into the lead, bringing the game within one goal, but it was not enough to hold off the next three goals by the Purple Knights to end the first half 6-2.

A Saint Michael's goal in the first few minutes of the second half did not discourage the Ravens. Fraklin Pierce posted three quick goals starting with Sweeney's at 20:51, followed by senior Julia Smiley (Saunderstown, R.I.) at 17:37 and junior Nicole Dale (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) at 17:19 to slash the Purple Knight lead to just two goals.

With 15:19 left in the game, Steph Bonewald brought the Purple Knight lead back to three goals, 8-5. Senior Madeline Shopshire (Hyannis, Mass.) and Dale brought the game within one with their back to back goals, 8-7.

Saint Michael's responded with two goals, followed by a goal by Sweeney to finish the game 10-8.

Senior Kate Boyer and Courtney Piper led Saint Michael's with three goals and each picked up a ground ball. Junior Steph Bonewald had two goals while also grabbing six ground balls. Sophomore Grace Gunning took the win (2-5) stopping 16 out of 24 shots.

Briana Sweeney had four goals for the Ravens, while picking up three ground balls and causing a turnover. Nicole Dale had two goals, three ground balls and caused a turnover. Madeline Shopshire and Julia Smiley each had a goal and a pair of ground balls, while Smiley caused three turnovers. Junior Liana Roman (Springfield, Mass.) caused five turnovers and picked up four grand balls, freshman Caitlin Sweeney (Shirely, N.Y.) picked up six ground balls and caused one turnover. Sophomore Denise Hunt (Hull, Mass.) took the loss (4-3) stopping six out of 16 shots.

The Ravens return to Sodexo on Wednesday, April 8^th to take on Southern New Hampshire University at 3:00 p.m. in Northeast-10 Conference play. 

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).