MANCHESTER, N.H. (September 21, 2019) -- An 80^th-minute goal from graduate student forward Stefan Lohberger (Schoellnach, Germany) gave the Franklin Pierce University men's soccer team a thrilling, 2-1 win over the Southern New Hampshire Penmen on the road at Penmen Stadium. The Ravens opened up Northeast-10 Conference play against their cross-state rivals and improved to 3-1-1 on the season (1-0-0 NE10). The Penmen fall to 2-2-1 on the young season (0-1-0 NE10).

The Penmen would get on the board just over 12 minutes into the match, when freshman midfielder Sinisa Sprecakovic beat graduate student keeper Clay Thomas (Franklin, Tenn.) for his second goal of the season. The Penmen got off to a solid start in what was a tightly-contested, physical game, which has become a staple between the two schools. Franklin Pierce graduate student midfielder Javier Nemesio Garcia (Alacuas, Spain) picked up the first of four yellow cards on the night in the 22^nd minute. The teams would combine for 20 fouls in the first half.

Physicality aside, the Ravens were able to break through before the first half ended. Junior forward Antonio Ferreira (Madrid, Spain) tied the match up in the 30^th minute with his first goal as a Raven. Shortly after pulling the game even, Ferreira would be slapped with a yellow card as well, the second of the half for the Ravens.

Despite being level, the Penmen outplayed the Ravens statistically in the first half. Shots were 4-2 in favor of the Penmen at the intermission, with Thomas turning aside one of two shots for the Ravens while SNHU sophomore Patrick Quinn was not forced to make a save.

The second half would be a turnaround for the Ravens, who settled down on the physicality. The second half would see just five combined fouls and two yellow cards, both of which went to Penmen players.

The Ravens continued their push late into the match and would finally break through in the 81^st minute. Lohberger took advantage of a loose ball right in front of the goal and made no mistake from there, for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Senior midfielder Marc Forner (Silla, Spain) was credited with the assist as he was one of multiple Ravens who led the charge up the field to set up the winning tally.

Thomas stopped three of four shots for his second win of the season (2-1-1), while Quinn stopped one of three shots in the loss (1-2-0).

The Ravens wrap up the month of September with a home matchup against NE10 foe Saint Rose. Match time against the Golden Knights is set for Saturday, Sept. 28, at 4 p.m. at Sodexo Field.

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 soccer apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (https://www.shopfpuravens.com).