Ghosts of 1996 Haunt Ravens in Overtime Loss

RINDGE, N.H. (September 30, 2000) - History indeed repeats itself. Matched against defending NAIA national champion Lynn University in the second game of the 1996 season, the Franklin Pierce women's soccer team gave up a two-goal lead in the final 27 minutes of the match and ended up losing 3-2.

Saturday, matched against defending 1999 NAIA national champion Westmont (Calif.) College, the Ravens again gave up a two-goal lead and ended up losing 3-2 in overtime.

The loss, played out in front of a crowd of 350 on a sunny day at Crystal Field, was the first home loss for Franklin Pierce (6-1) since that loss to Lynn.

Christine Kirby (Florida, N.Y.) scored off a header in the 37th minute and Minna Mustonen (Helsinki, Finland) scored on a long through pass from Anumari Ylesmaki (Vantaa, Finland) in the 67th minute as the Ravens built a 2-0 lead.

Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 1 again this year, appeared to be in control in the second half, but Westmont (9-2) showed why it is ranked No. 1 in the NAIA as it rallied to score twice in the final five minutes of regulation to force overtime.

Lauren Schick (Irvine, Calif.) scored in the 86th minute on a ball that just eluded the grasp of Franklin Pierce goalkeeper Kara Shemeth (Edgartown, Mass.) It was the first goal the junior keeper has allowed thisyear.

Janel Kaden tied the match with 43 seconds left in regulation when she beat Shemeth to a back pass from Franklin Pierce defender Sinikka Salomaa (Tampere, Finland).

The Warriors carried that momentum into sudden-death overtime, ending the match in the 100th minute when Janee' Andre' (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) scored on a direct kick from 30 yards.

Franklin Pierce, which resumes action Tuesday at home against UMass Lowell, held the advantage in shots (17-12) and corner kicks (6-5).

Now, the Ravens can only hope this cycle continues full circle: After that loss in 1996, Franklin Pierce went on to win the national championship.