Scavo header lifts Ravens to third-straight victory
RINDGE, N.H. (September 16,
2006) - Franklin Pierce, among teams receiving votes in
this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America
(NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, collected a key early season
victory with a 2-1 decision over No. 23 Saint Anselm College in
Northeast-10 Conference women's soccer action at Sodexho Field this
afternoon.
Senior All-America back
Alex Scavo (Toronto, Ontario/Brother Andre) headed
in a cross from junior Gabriela Demoner (Curitibas,
Brazil) to put Franklin Pierce in front in the
74th minute. Demoner's cross from the left channel
connected with Scavo mid goal just inside the top of the 18. It was
Scavo's first goal of the year.
The Ravens opened the scoring just
4:55 into the match as freshman Shona Franklin (Leicester,
England) followed up her own rebound with a drive into the
lower right corner of the goal. Franklin's second goal of the
season marked the second-straight match she has scored in the
opening five minutes. Her goal 4:59 into Tuesday's contest set the
tone for a 2-0 victory at Assumption
College.
Saint Anselm equalized 2:09 before
the intermission when senior Jocelyn Savastano (Plymouth,
Mass./Plymouth North) laid a ball back from the top of the
six to freshman Mary Kate Heavey (Medfield,
Mass./Medfield) for a blast from the top of the 18 into
the lower left corner and her third goal of the season.
The goal came minutes after both
sides had tremendous scoring chances thwarted by the opposing
goalkeepers. Franklin Pierce junior Jenna Mello
(Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) charged well off her line
to stop Savastano on a one-on-one counter attack break in the
35th minute. Saint Anselm sophomore Michaela
Smith (Andover, Mass./Andover) twice stopped Ravens senior
Leanne Bowler (Clonalvy, Ireland) on a break in
the 39th minute. Smith charged out to block Bowler's
initial attempt and recovered just in time to stop the rebound
after the ball fell back at Bowler's feet.
Saint Anselm had a bid to equalize
a second time in the 89th minute on a drive from senior
Mairead Lundt (Atkinson, N.H./Timberlane) from
well beyond the 18 that was drifting towards the upper left corner,
but Mello was well positioned to make the catch save.
Mello finished with three saves
(two second half) to preserve the victory for Franklin Pierce,
while Smith made seven stops for Saint Anselm. The Ravens finished
with a 17-10 advantage in shots for the match, including 9-4 over
the final 45-minutes.
Franklin Pierce (4-2, 3-2 NE-10)
returns to action on Wednesday when it visits Stonehill College,
ranked fifth in the New England region, at 4 p.m. The Ravens return
home on Tuesday, September 26, when they host No. 10 Merrimack
College at 7 p.m. Saint Anselm (5-3, 2-2 NE-10) hosts Bentley
College on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
MATCH
STATISTICS & PLAY-BY-PLAY
