RINDGE, N.H. (April 8, 2017) – Junior midfielder Caitlin Sweeney (Shirley, N.Y.) led all scorers with seven goals as the Franklin Pierce University women's lacrosse team defeated Northeast-10 Conference foe Southern New Hampshire University 15-14 in a see-saw affair Saturday night on Sodexo Field. With the win, the Crimson and Grey improve to 5-3, 3-5 NE10 and the setback sends the Penmen to 6-5, 3-4 NE10.

The Ravens victory over the Penmen this evening was the first win against SNHU since a 10-6 decision on April 12, 2004, the only other time FPU bested SNHU. The 15-14 victory tonight snapped a 13 game winless streak against their league opponent.

Caitlin Sweeney stuffed the stat sheet by winning a game-high nine draw controls, scooping up four groundballs and causing two turnovers. She tallied the game-winner at with 1:29 left to play. Teammate Anna Wilbert (Bohemia, N.Y.) chipped in two goals and a match-best three helpers in a five point effort. Goalkeeper Denise Hunt (Hull, Mass.) was clutch down the stretch for the Crimson and Grey as she made numerous key stops en route to her fifth win of the year and 12 saves.

For the Penmen, Alexa Bedell led the way with a team-best four goals and two helpers. Kennedy Daziel recorded a hat-trick (three goals) and Merry Harrington was 2-1-3 in the contest. Nicole Kennedy began the duel in net and allowed seven goals in 23:07 while stopping three shots. Leah Olansky took the loss while making five saves.

Five of Southern New Hampshire's 14 markers came via free position goals. The Penmen finished the evening 5-of-8 (62.5%) on free position attempts.

The Ravens started off the contest fast with six unanswered goals with three coming from Caitlin Sweeney including the game's opening score, a bouncing shot from the top of the crease. Trailing 6-0 SNHU finally cracked the scoring column on an "up" chance as Marisa McLaughlin converted a free position shot from the right wing.

Caitlin Sweeney matched McLaughlin's freebie with one of her own to bring the Raven advantage back to six, 7-1. The Penmen responded with four consecutive scores as Mary Beth Sweeney and Daziel both came around the backside of the cage and sniped a shot from the close wing to make it a two goal, 7-5 game. Caitlin Sweeney and Bedell swapped ginos to keep it a two score, 8-6 game at the intermission.  

Six minutes into the second stanza, Harrington lined up for a free position attempt. Instead of taking the shot, Harrington passed the rock to Bedell who immediately put the shot into the back of the net to cut the deficit to one. 17 seconds later, Harrington knotted up the score at eight all with her final goal of the contest and forced the Ravens to stop play with a timeout.

Following the stoppage, SNHU continued their run of scores as Alexis Felt rifled home a shot from the close right wing and a few seconds later, Felt converted a free position shot to give her squad a two goal lead. Raven junior attack Julia Miller (Westfield, Mass.) brought the Ravens within one twice thanks to a one timer and a behind the net connection as Franklin Pierce trailed 11-10 with 18:48 to go.

SNHU added to their lead to move ahead 13-10 at the 14:18 mark. The Ravens rallied with five unanswered scores. Wilbert tied the game at 13 all with a running low snipe in the middle of the Penmen defense, Megan Schaeffer (Brookhaven, N.Y.) put the Ravens on top with 8:19 to play and Caitlin Sweeney added insurance by using screens and pouring in a one on one attempt with the Penmen goalkeeper.

Hunt, playing behind a ferocious defense, was key in the final 15 minutes as she came up with several key stops and even forced a few turnovers. Holding a two goal lead, the Ravens were poised for the win, but Daziel gobbled up a saved shot with 21 seconds to go and somehow muscled the ball into the cage to make it a one goal game at 15-14.

Felt proceeded to win the draw control for SNHU and drove down into the Ravens defensive zone. Time was ticking down and the Penmen were looking to make a play, but Raven freshman defender Jillian Koop (Youngstown, N.Y.) whacked the ball out of Felt's stick and scooped up the loose ball to seal the victory for the hosts.

The Ravens will head out on the road to American International for a 7:00 p.m. conference showdown on Wednesday.

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