EASTON, Mass. (March 18, 2017) – No. 20 nationally ranked Stonehill scored the first six goals of the game on Saturday afternoon, to take a lead it would never relinquish, as the Franklin Pierce University women's lacrosse team dropped a 13-5 decision in its Northeast-10 Conference opener. Senior attack Shannon Booth led the Skyhawks to the win at W.B. Mason Stadium, with five points on three goals and two assists. Junior midfielder Caitlin Sweeney (Shirley, N.Y.) tallied 1-2-3 to lead the Ravens in scoring.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 2-1 (0-1 NE10), while Stonehill improves to 3-2 (2-0 NE10).

Stonehill struck for the first six goals on Saturday, over a span of 11:29, and never led by less than three the rest of the way. Booth potted the game's first two goals, over the opening 2:31, before setting up freshman midfielder Jennifer Wheaton, to make it 3-0. Wheaton was assisted by senior attack Jenna Gilman, and then set up Gilman for a man-up goal of her own, before freshman attack MacKenzie Pleshaw made it 6-0.

Junior midfielder Briana Sweeney (Shirley, N.Y.) broke the ice for Franklin Pierce just shy of the midpoint of the half, with a free-position goal. Caitlin Sweeny scored her lone goal just over two minutes later, and junior defender Megan Schaeffer (Brookhaven, N.Y.) followed with another free-position goal to cut the gap to 6-3 with 11:30 to play in the first half.

It was as close as the Ravens would get, as Stonehill struck for two of the final three goals of the stanza to take an 8-4 lead into halftime.

Stonehill slowed the game down after the break and scored five of the second half's six goals to pull away for the 13-5 victory. Booth completed her hat trick with 12:59 to play, on a free-position attempt in a man-down situation.

After Caitlin Sweeney for Franklin Pierce, junior attack Anna Wilbert (Bohemia, N.Y.) was the only other Raven with multiple points, as she scored twice. Caitlin Sweeney picked up four ground balls, while Schaeffer corralled a quartet of draw controls. Caitlin Sweeney caused three turnovers, to lead all players, but also turned the ball over three times as well.

Behind Booth for Stonehill, Wheaton (2-1-3), Gilman (2-1-3) and Pleshaw (2-0-2) all had multiple points as well for the Skyhawks. Senior midfielder Elizabeth Vetter collected a game-best five ground balls, while Booth and freshman midfielder Kaitlin Healey tallied four each. Vetter also led all players with five draw controls. Wheaton, Healey and senior defender Erika Isner all caused two turnovers apiece.

Senior goalkeeper Denise Hunt (Hull, Mass.) finished with eight saves against 21 shots on goal and suffered the loss (2-1) in the crease for Franklin Pierce. At the other end of the field, junior Bailey Herr (2-0) made four saves against nine shots to pick up the win for Stonehill.

The Ravens return to the field on Tuesday, March 21, when they return home to host Assumption in an NE10 contest. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m. at Sodexo Field in Rindge.

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