AMHERST, N.Y. (November 4, 2017) – It was a high-water mark in the history of the Franklin Pierce University women's cross country team on Saturday at Audubon Golf Course. The Ravens closed out their season in style, by finishing a program-best 12^th (out of 25 teams) at the NCAA Championship East Regional, hosted by Daemen College. Sophomore Rebecca Zylak (Goffstown, N.H.) led the way for the crimson and grey in the 173-runner field, as she placed 47^th.

Zylak led a trio of Franklin Pierce runners among the top-70 finishers. It all added up to 350 points, which was comfortably good for the 12^th place finish. At the top of the field, Assumption (45 points) narrowly edged second-place Stonehill (46 points) to lay claim to the East Region title. Roberts Wesleyan (110 points) finished third to punch the region's final ticket to the national championship race.

"The women ran very well; 12^th is the best finish we've ever had, and it came from pure teamwork," said head coach Zach Emerson after the race. "Our top four runners were tough and worked as a pack for the first half of the race. Marisa Carbone had the race of her life and was willing to sacrifice for her teammates today. I'm so proud of these ladies and their efforts."

Zylak turned in a 6k time of 24:54.0 to post her 47^th-place finish. She was followed in the top-70 by freshman Marissa Farago (Salisbury, Mass.) in 56^th (25:03.9) and sophomore Julia Cormier (Northwood, N.H.) in 66^th (25:21.9).

Senior Natalie Davies (Ware, Mass.) wrapped up her collegiate career with a run of 25:52.1 to finish 82^nd. Aforementioned freshman Marisa Carbone (Scarborough, Maine) stopped the clock at 26:51.9 to finish 110^th and round out the Ravens' scoring five.

Stonehill senior Emily Knox ran a 22:43.6 to take home the individual East Region crown. She was followed by Post sophomore Kendall Fitzgerald in second (22:50.0) and Assumption senior Antonia Pagliuca in third (22:58.2).

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