Release by Director of Athletic Communications Luke Tracy 

RINDGE, N.H. (1/12/2023) – Four Franklin Pierce University women's soccer players were named to the New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA) NCAA Division II 2023 All-New England team.

The first and second teams announced Thursday were voted on by NCAA Division II coaches from colleges and universities in New England.

"The 2023 NEWISA All-New England Team highlights the best student-athletes from colleges and universities in the region," said NEWISA President Tom McGuinness. "These players represent many of
the most talented collegiate players in the country. They have pushed their teams to success on the field and we are proud to recognize them for all they have achieved. NEWISA congratulates all these players for a tremendous season."

Freshman defender Roos Monsma (Hoofddorp, Netherlands) was the lone Raven to make first team All-New England following a standout first year in Rindge. Monsma started all 18 games during the 2023 campaign and was named Northeast-10 Rookie of the Year as a standout member of the Ravens' backline. Receiving the prestigious award will likely be a glimpse of the impact she'll make in the next three years at Franklin Pierce.

Claudia Peirce (Carver, Mass.), Johanne Guldbaek-Pedersen (Hadsten, Denmark), and Pinja Eklund (Klaukkala, Findland) were all named to the All-New England second team.

Peirce, a sophomore forward, served as one of the team's most reliable goal scorers throughout the fall of 2023. Compared to her freshman year, Peirce quadrupled her offensive output in 2023 after she netted seven goals, three of which were game winners, and three assists for a total of 17 points.

Guldbaek-Pedersen, a freshman center midfielder played in 12 games this fall and started in 11 of them. She only fired seven shots this season, but three of them hit the back of the net proving impressive accuracy on the pitch.

Ekland, a sophomore defender played in and started 18 games during the 2023 season. A teammate and line mate of Monsma, the two served as anchors for the Raven defense.

Looking ahead, all four players named to the All-New England team are sophomores or younger, which could be a telling sign of great things on the horizon for Franklin Pierce Women's soccer.