Chieftains hold on for victory over pesky Ravens

EASTON, Mass. (October 22, 2004) – The No. 9 nationally ranked Stonehill College field hockey team narrowly defeated visiting Franklin Pierce today in Northeast-10 competition. Facing a three goal deficit, the Ravens fought back to within one goal of the Chieftains before their comeback bid fell short. With the win, Stonehill improves its record to 12-7 overall and 10-6 in league play, while Franklin Pierce drops to 5-10 overall and 4-10 in the conference.

The freshman duo of Caitlin Gleason (Methuen, Mass./Methuen) and Aly Boulis (Lincoln, R.I./Lincoln) led the way for the home team. Gleason got the Chieftains on the board quickly, netting two goals within the first fourteen minutes of the match. Her first tally came just 9:07 into the first half, as she capitalized on a feed from junior Julie Michalos (Norwood, Mass./Norwood). She then scored her 12th goal of the season, beating Franklin Pierce goalkeeper Brandi Guertin (Bellingham, Mass./Bellingham) on a penalty stroke in the 13th minute of play. Stonehill maintained a 2-0 lead at the close of the opening frame. Boulis added to the Chieftains lead in the 52nd minute of play, when she took a feed from junior Laura Maryanopolis (Gloversville, N.Y./Gloversville) and found the back of the cage for her fourth goal of the season.

Despite trailing by three goals, the Ravens failed to go away. Sophomore Nicole McKinnon (Northfield, N.H./Winnisquam) ended Stonehill goalkeeper Dani Ryder’s (Fiskdale, Mass./Tantasqua) shutout bid with 9:10 remaining in the second half, as she netted her first career goal. Less than five minutes later, junior Laura Blanchard (Rockport, Mass./Rockport) made the score 3-2, when she scored her third goal of the season off a feed from freshman Amy LaSalle (Gilford, N.H./Gilford). The Franklin Pierce comeback bid came up just short, as both teams were shut down for the remainder of the match.

Ryder saved three shots en route to her 12th win of the season for Stonehill. The Franklin Pierce tandem of Guertin and sophomore Amanda Pietraszuk (Clinton, Conn./Morgan School) saved nine shots, as their team was outshot 14 to seven.

Stonehill (12-7, 10-6 NE-10) clinched fourth place in the league and homefield advantage for the quarterfinal round of the Northeast-10 Tournament with today’s win. They will host the fifth seeded Purple Knights of Saint Michael’s College on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Franklin Pierce (5-10, 4-10 NE-10) will return to action on Sunday when they host #3 Bentley College for a league match beginning at 1 p.m.