Demoner collects goal and assist to lead third-seeded Ravens past sixth-seeded Hawks

RINDGE, N.H. (October 28, 2007) – Third-seeded Franklin Pierce University, ranked 17th in this week’s National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, opened defense of its record seven-straight Northeast-10 Conference Tournament Championships with a 3-0 victory over sixth-seeded Saint Anselm College, ranked sixth in the New England region, in a women’s soccer quarterfinal at Sodexho Field this afternoon.

Franklin Pierce (13-1-4, 9-1-4 NE-10) advances to face second-seeded and No. 8-ranked Bryant University (17-0-4, 11-0-3 NE-10) in a semifinal round match in Smithfield, R.I., on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Bulldogs, who handed the Ravens their lone loss of the season – 2-1 in Smithfield on September 8, advanced with a 2-0 victory over seventh-seeded UMass Lowell this evening. Saint Anselm (9-8-3, 6-5-3 NE-10) awaits word on a potential bid to the expanded field of 48 for the NCAA Division II Tournament next Monday, November 5.

Senior All-American Gabriela Demoner (Curitiba, Brazil) led Franklin Pierce with a goal and assist. Senior Jenna Giardina (Pittsfield, Mass./Taconic) and sophomore All-American Shona Franklin (Leicester, England) each netted a goal for the Ravens who are now unbeaten in all 41 postseason matches at home (39-0-1) in program history.

Junior Brittany Ester (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) made four saves (three first half) for Franklin Pierce to notch her sixth shutout of the season. Junior Micaela Smith (Andover, Mass./Andover) made one save, while yielding a goal, in the first half for Saint Anselm, before freshman Jacqueline Cooney (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) made two stops, while allowing two goals, over the final 45-minutes for the Hawks. Franklin Pierce finished with a 12-7 advantage in shots for the match, including a 7-2 margin in the second half.

Franklin Pierce opened the scoring off a set piece with less than ten minutes to play in the first half. Giardina knocked in a loose ball at the top of the six after a header from sophomore back Rachel Smith (Chichester, N.H./Bible Baptist School (Pa.)) caromed off the far post off a free kick by Demoner.

Franklin Pierce doubled its advantage 6:43 into the second half when Demoner headed in a free kick from freshman Kelly Weygand (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) from the top of the six at 51:43. The Ravens sealed the victory in the 68th minute when Franklin was sent in one-on-one with Cooney thanks to a pass over the top of the defense by senior Thatiane Preisler (Curitiba, Brazil). Franklin chipped her shot past Cooney for her second goal of the season.