RINDGE, N.H. (March 31, 2018) – In an entertaining marathon (two hours and fifteen minutes) which saw 36 combined goals between the two teams, the Franklin Pierce University women's lacrosse program led by Briana Sweeney (Shirley, N.Y.) and Caitlin Sweeney's (Shirley, N.Y.) seven-point performances defeated Northeast-10 Conference foe Southern Connecticut State University 19-17 Saturday evening during Alumni Appreciation Night at Sodexo Field. With the victory, the Crimson and Grey even up their record at 4-4 overall and move to 2-4 NE10 while the Owls fall to 3-6, 2-4 NE10.

Briana Sweeney carried the Pierce offense with a team-best six goals while her twin sister chipped in five markers and two assists. The duo won six draw controls apiece as well. Freshman attack Caroline Lounsbury (Franklin, Mass.) chipped in a four-point effort as she notched a hat trick (three goals) and a helper. Senior goalie Madison Murray (Berkley, Mich.) earned the start between the pipes for FPU and made nine saves to even up her win/loss record at 2-2.

For the owls, midfielder Nicole Healey led all players with seven goals and won 10 total draws. Laura Morton started in net but was relieved by Alexandra Takacs who played 19 minutes and suffered her third setback as she allowed six goals on 10 shots.

Southern Connecticut was rewarded more free position attempts due to the physical nature of the Ravens, but they only converted 2-of-9 (22.2%) attempts while their counterparts were 1-for-3 (33.3%).

Franklin Pierce took an early 3-0 advantage on the strength of two markers from Briana Sweeney and one by Caitlin Sweeney just two minutes into regulation. SCSU tallied two consecutive scores as Samantha Cozzolino, off a turnover and successful clear, ran straight through the middle of the Raven defense and cashed in an attempt to cut the deficit to 3-2. Lounsbury answered via a shorthanded score to reestablish a two-goal lead at 4-2.

Both Sweeney's ripped home attempts to build the edge back to three, 6-3, but the Owls tied the contest at the 10-minute mark when Hailey Prindle-Nelson skipped a running pass to Taylor Portelinha just outside the left crease. The Ravens concluded the half by outscoring the guests 3-0. Lounsbury completed the first half hat trick and with 6:34 to go, Anna Wilbert (Bohemia, N.Y.) fired a sideways shot off a catch and shoot chance assisted by Lounsbury to drive the Ravens ahead 9-6 at the intermission.

A Caitlin Sweeney unassisted goal when she came around the back of the crease and fired from point-blank range gave the Ravens a commanding six-goal lead with 13:20 left to play. However, the Owls stayed the course and rallied to deadlock the contest at 17-17 on Healey's seventh goal of the duel. With all the momentum leaning towards the Owls side, backup goalkeeper Alexandra Takacs committed a crucial turnover when she threw the ball out of bounds. The Ravens had a short field to work with and Briana Sweeney tallied her 23 goal of the season to push the hosts back ahead 18-17 when the senior bounced home an attempt low straight away.

Southern Connecticut came away empty-handed on their next possession with 2:21 on the clock as they turned the ball over back to the Ravens. FPU freshman midfielder Zoe Totland (Salt Lake City, Utah) made the guests pay with under a minute to play by bouncing in a shot from the right wing to give the Ravens a two-goal cushion. Last chance shots by the Owls were wide as the Crimson and Grey withheld a late SCSU push.

The Ravens travel away from campus on Wednesday, April 4th to interstate foe Saint Anselm College for a 7:30 p.m. conference showdown.

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).