Pair of Second-Half Goals Spell 3-1 Defeat for Women’s Soccer at Stonehill

EASTON, Mass. (September 27, 2017) – Freshman back Evaline Rodrigues (Rehoboth, Mass.) opened the scoring with her first collegiate goal on Wednesday afternoon, but it would not be enough as the Franklin Pierce University women's soccer team hit the road for the first time in two weeks. Stonehill would tie the game on a first-half penalty kick, and then score twice in the second half, to deal the Ravens a 3-1 defeat in Northeast-10 Conference play at Skyhawk Field.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 4-2-1 (3-2-1 NE10), while Stonehill improves to 4-5-0 (2-3-0 NE10). Franklin Pierce enjoyed a slight statistical edge outside of the score line, as the Ravens held advantages of 12-5 in shot attempts, 5-3 in shots on goal and 10-4 in corner kicks.

Franklin Pierce opened the scoring on Wednesday in the 32^nd minute, on the first career goal for Rodrigues. She was able to knock a loose ball home amid a scramble after a corner kick, while senior back Gabriella Braga (Porto Alegre, Brazil) picked up an assist on the play.

Stonehill drew even less than six minutes later, on a penalty kick in the 38^th minute. Senior forward Meredith Moore took the penalty for the Skyhawks, and slotted away her first goal of the season.

The Skyhawks then struck twice in the second half to come away with the 3-1 victory. Freshman forward Alex Giardina netted the eventual game-winner in the 58^th minute. She scored her second goal of the campaign after forcing a turnover 25 yards from the goal.

Freshman midfielder Nicole Garfield capped the scoring in the 69^th minute, with her fourth goal of the season. Sophomore forward Nicole Geraghty provided the cross from the right side, while Garfield's shot deflected off of the goalkeeper and into the right side of the net.

Senior goalkeeper Casey Cook (Beverly, Mass.) was not credited with a save against three shots on goal and suffered the loss (3-2-1) for Franklin Pierce. At the other end of the field, sophomore netminder Kaitlin Brown (3-4-0) posted four saves against five shots to pick up the win for Stonehill.

The Ravens return to the field on Saturday, Sept. 30, when they travel to Assumption for an NE10 contest. Opening kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Multi-Sport Stadium in Worcester, Mass.

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