Mello & Steinberg
combine to make ten saves in shutout performances
RINDGE, N.H. (September 1, 2007) – Franklin Pierce
University, ranked No. 6 in this week's National Soccer
Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II
coaches' poll, and 11th-ranked College of Saint Rose played
to a scoreless double-overtime draw in the Northeast-10 Conference
women's soccer opener for both at Sodexho Field this
afternoon.
The match was a battle of the top two teams in the Northeast-10
from a season ago, as Saint Rose ended Franklin Pierce's run
of five-straight regular season conference crowns for its first
NE-10 title, but the Ravens exacted revenge in the NCAA Tournament,
eliminating the Golden Knights with a 3-1 triumph in the New
England Regional final here in November.
There was not much to separate the two sides again this afternoon
as neither team could capitalize on the few true scoring chances
they had. Franklin Pierce enjoyed a 19-8 advantage in shots for the
match, putting seven of those on target, compared to three on goal
for Saint Rose. 11 of the Ravens shots came in the second half
after shots were even at three at halftime. The Ravens also
out-shot the Golden Knights, 5-1 in overtime – 4-0 in the
opening 10 minutes of extra time.
Senior goalkeeper Jenna Mello (Londonderry,
N.H./Londonderry) made three saves (all second half) to
preserve her second shutout of the season (25th career) for the
Ravens. Senior Lauren Steinberg (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay)
collected seven saves for the Golden Knights for her first shutout
of the year (21st career).
Senior All-American Gabriela Demoner (Curitiba,
Brazil) had Franklin Pierce's best chance of
regulation, but her shot from 12 yards out on the right side just
under the hour mark carried just over the crossbar. Saint Rose
nearly took a lead of its own moments later as freshman Jazmine
Farrell (Raritan, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) had Mello caught away
from her net, but the chip attempt from long range finished well
off target in the 66th minute.
Demoner had another bid in the 84th minute on a breakaway, but
Steinberg reacted well to smother the shot. The rebound trickled to
the left side of the 18-yard box, but Demoner could only put the
next shot off the side netting. Freshman Angelika Johansson
(Falkenberg, Sweden) had the Ravens best chances of
overtime, but placed a drive from 20-yards out in the 96th minute
straight at Steinberg and then saw a low shot beat the Saint Rose
keeper only to trickle just wide of the left post.
Franklin Pierce (2-0-1, 0-0-1 NE-10) is back in action on Wednesday
when it visits Saint Michael's College for an NE-10 clash at
4 p.m. The Ravens are not home again until Tuesday, September 11,
when they host Assumption College at 7 p.m. Saint Rose (1-0-1,
0-0-1 NE-10) visits Pace University for a Conference contest on
Monday at 11 a.m.
