RINDGE, NH (April 16, 2016) -- The Franklin Pierce University women's lacrosse team took an early lead on Saturday night, with the help of sophomore midfielder Brianna Sweeney (Shirley, N.Y.) scoring five goals in the first half. Southern Connecticut State University was able to tie the game in the second half, but a final push by sophomore midfielder Caitlin Sweeney (Shirley, N.Y.) allowed the Ravens to win the Northeast-10 conference contest at Sodexo Field, 14-13.

With the win, the Ravens advance their record to 8-4 overall and 5-4 in conference play, while the Owls fall 3-10 overall and 1-8 in the conference.

Brianna Sweeney scored the first two goals of the game, and then was able to answer each of two Owl free-position goals to keep the Raven lead. Sophomore attack Anna Wilbert (Bohemia, N.Y.) got in on the action with a goal, assisted by senior midfielder Lauren Beville (Jamesville, N.Y.) to extend the lead to 5-3 in favor of the Ravens.

With one minute left in the first half, Owls sophomore midfielder Carolynn Keal ran downfield for a good clear and passed to defender Hailey Prindle-Nelson for the goal. Brianna Sweeney would get the last move in the half though as, with 35 seconds to go, she closed out the half with her fifth goal of the game, making the Ravens lead 7-5 heading into halftime.

Brianna Sweeney and Wilbert connected for the first two goals of the second half, extending the Ravens lead to 9-5.

Two SCSU goals, one on a free-position and the second with Keal clearing again and setting up junior attack Kennedy Sherman, allowed the Owls to close in, making it 9-7. Brianna Sweeney answered for the Ravens, extending the lead to 10-7.

Three Owl goals in a row over a three-minute span would tie the game with just under 20 minutes to play, 10-10.

Brianna Sweeney scored to push the Ravens ahead again but Southern Connecticut State fired back with a free-position goal, and then a man-up goal from sophomore midfielder Nicole Healey to take their first lead of the game, 12-11, with 15 minutes to play.

Beville had the equalizer for the Ravens, before two Caitlin Sweeney goals for the Ravens put the game away and Ravens walked away with a one-goal win, 14-13.

The game was led by Brianna Sweeney with eight goals on the night, while Caitlin Sweeney added a hat trick. The team totaled 26 shots and seven ground balls. The winning goal keeper was Denise Hunt (Hull, Mass.) who faced 23 shots on goal and made 10 saves, with her record moving to 8-4.

The Owls were led by Healey, who had five goals, while Keal had six ground balls. The team totaled 26 shots and 14 ground balls. The losing keeper was Chelsea Callahan who came on with 13:22 to play in a tie game and made one save against three shots on goal.

The Ravens play next on the road at Bentley for a Northeat-10 Conference game on Tuesday, April 19 at 7 p.m.

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