Hislop plays role in both goals as
Ravens close out regular season
MANCHESTER, N.H. (October
30, 2003) - Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 9 in this week's
National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas
Division II poll, clinched its third-straight Northeast-10
Conference regular season title with a 2-0 victory over Saint
Anselm College in women's soccer action at Melucci Field this
afternoon.
Franklin Pierce (15-2, 13-1 NE-10),
ranked second in the New England region, clinched the title and its
subsequent top-seed in the upcoming NE-10 Tournament with the win
and Merrimack College's 3-1 loss to Pace University in
Pleasantville, N.Y., this afternoon. The Ravens will host
eighth-seeded Pace University in quarterfinal round action on
Sunday at 11:30 a.m. The match will be played on the College's
Field Hockey/Lacrosse complex as a result of continued poor field
conditions at Crystal Field. By earning the top seed, the Ravens
also ensure all matches they play in the NE-10 Championships will
be at home.
This afternoon, sophomore forward
Laura Hislop (Belfast,
Northern Ireland) played a role in both Franklin
Pierce goals as it scored both goals in the opening half.
Hislop set up the Ravens opening
goal in the 20th minute when she served a cross from the
left side that found junior All-American Meghan Welcome
(Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill) in the middle of the
penalty area for a one-timed shot past Saint Anselm junior
goalkeeper Kathryn Mullin (Marshfield,
Mass./Marshfield).
The goal was Welcome's
Conference-leading 22nd of the season and
49th of her career, surpassing Amy Hanlon's ('96) career
record for goals by a US-born player.
Hislop rounded out the scoring with
an unassisted goal just 51-seconds before the intermission. She
sent a long ball past one defender, out-ran her to the ball, then
cut in towards goal, beating another defender, before walking in
one-on-one with Mullin before firing a shot into the lower left
corner of the net.
While the Ravens didn't score over
the final 45-minutes, they controlled play the entire half,
registering an 11-1 shots advantage for the stanza. Franklin Pierce
out-shot Saint Anselm by a 26-2 margin for the match.
Senior goalkeeper Aase
Kibsgaard (Korgen, Norway) made one first half save
to preserve her sixth shutout of the season and 14th of
her career to move into a tie for fifth all-time at the College
with Kara Shemeth ('02).
Mullin made 11 saves for Saint
Anselm, which rounds out its season with a 6-9-1 overall, 4-9-1 in
the Northeast-10.
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STATISTICS
