MANCHESTER, N.H. (April 4, 2018) -- A 9-3 halftime deficit would prove to be too much for the Franklin Pierce University women's lacrosse team to overcome on the road on Wednesday night. The Ravens put together a nine-goal second half to significantly close the gap, but Saint Anselm was able to hang on for a 14-12 win in Northeast-10 Conference play at Grappone Stadium.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 4-5 (2-5 NE10), while Saint Anselm improves to 7-3 (5-1 NE10).

Franklin Pierce struck first on Wednesday, with a goal from senior midfielder Caitlin Sweeney (Shirley, N.Y.) 1:58 into the proceedings, but it would be one of the few bright spots for the Ravens in the first stanza. Saint Anselm scored the next two goals, before senior midfielder Briana Sweeney (Shirley, N.Y.) evened things at 2-2 just shy of the midpoint of the half.

Saint Anselm would take the lead for good with 15:31 to play in the first period, on the first of two straight goals from junior midfielder Molly Beck. In all, the Hawks would score the next four goals and seven of the half's final eight goals to take a 9-3 lead into halftime. Beck scored twice more in the run, as part of her five-goal outing.

Franklin Pierce made up ground in the second half, as the Ravens outscored the Hawks 9-5. Three straight goals to open the half pulled Franklin Pierce within three, at 9-6, but they were unable to get any closer until the closing minutes. A pair of goals from senior midfielder Erica Mattila would effectively put the game away, as Saint Anselm pushed the lead back to five goals with just over 12 minutes to play. The Ravens would score the final three goals of the contest, but ran out of time as the Hawks came away with the 14-12 win.

Caitlin Sweeney led the Ravens with four goals, while Briana Sweeney added three of her own. Four other Ravens would find the scoresheet, but none would collect more than two points. Caitlin Sweeney led the team with five ground balls, while Briana Sweeney nabbed six draw controls. Senior defender Megan Schaeffer (Brookhaven, N.Y.) caused a game-best four turnovers.

For Saint Anselm, Beck and Mattila did the heavy lifting with five goals apiece. Sophomore midfielder Lauren Lockard collected three ground balls, while senior midfielder Marta Versprille snagged six draw controls.

Senior goalkeeper Madison Murray (Berkley, Mich.) finished with nine saves against 23 shots on goal and suffered the loss (2-3) in front of the Franklin Pierce net. Senior netminder Zoie Cavotta (7-3) stopped 15 of 27 shots on her goal to pick up the win for Saint Anselm.

The Ravens return to the field on Saturday, April 7, when they return home to host Stonehill in an NE10 contest. Game time is set for 2 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 women's lacrosse apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).