SYRACUSE, N.Y. (October 23, 2019) – In the first-ever postseason appearance in program history, the fifth-seeded Franklin Pierce University women's tennis team came within one point of pulling off an upset on Wednesday afternoon in the first round of the Northeast-10 Conference Championship. On the road at fourth-seeded Le Moyne, the Ravens were edged, 4-3, at Skytop Tennis Courts, on the campus of Syracuse University.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce concludes its season at 9-6, while Le Moyne improves to 12-3 and advances to meet top-seeded Adelphi in the semifinal round on Friday.

Looking to make up ground after a 6-1, regular-season loss to the Dolphins in September, the Ravens were able to flip the doubles point in their favor to get things started. Le Moyne swept to a 6-0 win at third doubles to open play, as freshman Marta Perez and sophomore Brooke Fernandez bettered the Franklin Pierce duo of freshman Ashley Flood (Laredo, Texas) and senior Brigid Washburn (Greentown, Pa.).

Franklin Pierce answered with wins at first and second doubles to rally for the doubles point. At first doubles, graduate student Himani Mor (Sonipat, India) and freshman Liria Loria (La Paz, Bolivia) doubled up sophomore Birdem Oz and freshman Francesca Lilliegren, 6-3. At second doubles, freshmen Laura Alvarez Tello (Vigo, Spain) and Ashley Flood (Laredo, Texas) slipped past juniors Marta Nunez and Rebecca Peters, 7-5.

At the start of singles play, Le Moyne battled back to take a 3-1 lead, with a trio of straight-set victories. At sixth singles, Fernandez brushed aside Jazmin Flood, 6-0, 6-2. At fifth singles, Perez bested freshman Jillian Pagliuca (Taunton, Mass.), 6-0, 6-1. At fourth singles, it was a 6-1, 6-2 win for Peters over Ashley Flood.

Franklin Pierce then rallied to draw things level at 3-3. At third singles, it was a 7-6 (4), 6-0 win for Alvarez Tello over Lilliegren. Second singles would be the most compelling match of the afternoon, with Loria putting together a comeback win over Nunez, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

The proceedings all conspired to leave the fate of the match hanging in the balance at first singles. Oz was able to chalk up a 7-5, 6-4 win over Mor to send Le Moyne through to the semifinal.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuravens.com). 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 tennis apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (https://www.shopfpuravens.com).