Senior forward assists on game-winner

Box Score

RINDGE, N.H. (October 24, 2009) – Senior forward Ashley Abernethy (Bellingham, Mass.) tied the program record for career assists with 8:15 remaining in the final game of her career, as the Franklin Pierce University field hockey team squeaked out a 2-1 road victory over Saint Michael's in the season finale for both teams at Duffy Field on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore forward Tia Levins (Manchester, Maine) was the one who benefited from Abernethy's record-tying assist, as Levins tallied the game-winning goal.

With the win, Franklin Pierce closes the season at 9-9 (5-5 Northeast-10). The nine wins and .500 mark both overall and in conference play are all the highest marks by the program since 2003, when the Ravens also posted a 9-9 record, with an 8-8 conference mark. For Franklin Pierce, it is their most successful season yet under fourth-year head coach Meighan Guiney. Saint Michael's wraps up its season at 4-14 (2-8 Northeast-10) with the loss.

Saint Michael's opened the scoring just 6:54 into the contest. Senior midfielder Kemi Brewster knocked home her second goal of the season, but it would be the only score for Saint Michael's on the afternoon. It also proved to be the only goal of the first half and Saint Michael's went into the halftime break with a 7-3 advantage in shots and a 6-2 edge in penalty corners.

Franklin Pierce was able to crank up the offense in the second half to rally for the victory. First, sophomore forward Danielle Dolan (West Brookfield, Mass.) took a feed from sophomore midfielder Kimberly Jaksina (Townsend, Mass.) and tied the game at 1-1 just 3:45 into the second half. For Dolan, it was her sixth goal of the season, surpassing the five goals she scored in her freshman campaign a year ago.

From there, the game would go without another goal before Levins struck for the game-winner with just 8:15 to play in regulation. Her fifth goal of the season came off a pass from Abernethy, who notched the 13th assist of her career to tie Debbie Jones for the program's all-time record. Abernethy also leaves Franklin Pierce tied for third all-time in points (41) and fourth all-time in goals (14).

Franklin Pierce held a 6-2 edge in shots in the second half, as each team attempted nine shots over the course of the game. The Raven defense held Saint Michael's without a shot on goal in the second half. Saint Michael's took two penalty corners to one for Franklin Pierce in the second half to finish the contest with an 8-3 advantage.

Sophomore goalkeeper Brittany Nyzio (Attleboro, Mass.) made four saves against five shots to earn the win (8-8) in front of the cage for Franklin Pierce. Sophomore Jackie Stacey stopped five of seven shots sent her was and took the loss (1-1) between the pipes for Saint Michael's.