Demoner nets equalizer early in second half as Ravens remain unbeaten over eight

LOWELL, Mass. (October 6, 2007) – Franklin Pierce University, ranked 16th in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II coaches' poll was held to its third tie of the season with a 1-1 draw at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, ranked seventh in this week's NSCAA/adidas New England Region poll, in Northeast-10 Conference women's soccer action at Cushing Field this afternoon.

Senior All-American Gabriela Demoner (Curitiba, Brazil) netted the equalizing goal just over seven minutes into the second half as she took a pass from freshman Angelika Johansson (Falkenberg, Sweden) and fired a shot from the right side of the 18 just inside the near post.

Junior Brittany Ester (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) made four saves in goal for Franklin Pierce, which posted a 15-12 advantage in shots for the match. Sophomore Jamie Gillis (North Billerica, Mass./North Billerica) made seven stops in goal for UMass Lowell.

UMass Lowell opened the scoring in the 35th minute when senior Tanekar Alexander (Warwick, R.I./CCRI) broke free down the left side and lofted a shot just out of the reach of Ester and inside the far corner of the goal. The goal marked the first Franklin Pierce match all season in which the Ravens failed to score first, with the exception of their 0-0 double-overtime draw with the College of Saint Rose on September 1.

Franklin Pierce nearly took the early lead, but a shot by senior Jenna Giardina (Pittsfield, Mass./Taconic) on the right side was cleared off the line by sophomore back Colleen Fitzpatrick (Tewksbury, Mass./Tewksbury) less than ten minutes into the contest. UMass Lowell had a bid to win the match in regulation when senior Jenna Tulley (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) had a breakaway, but Ester charged out to smother the attempt. The rebound went to Alexander, but her shot drifted just wide of the target.

The Ravens had the best chance to pull out the win in overtime as Giardina was off on a breakaway, but Gillis was able to deny the bid three minutes in.

Franklin Pierce (9-1-3, 7-1-3 NE-10) is back in action on Tuesday when it hosts Bentley College at 7 p.m. UMass Lowell (8-5-1, 4-5-1 NE-10) hosts No. 10 College of Saint Rose on Wednesday at 7 p.m.