Nico Mueller logs three-point day with goal and an assist

EASTON, Mass. (September 22, 2012) -- The No. 19 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce University men's soccer team picked up an important 3-1 road win at Stonehill on Saturday in Easton, Mass. The Ravens improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Northeast-10, while Stonehill dipped to 1-6-1 and 0-5 in league play.

The Ravens exploded for all three of their goals in the first half to put the match out of reach. Senior forward Greg Giguere (East Bridgewater, Mass.) got the scoring started in the 18th minute as he won a 50/50 ball, turned and fired in a strike to stake Franklin Pierce to a quick 1-0 lead. It was his team-leading fifth tally of the campaign.

Freshman Nico Mueller (Mannheim, Germany) put the Ravens up by two goals three minutes later as he took a sweet crossing pass from junior Gareth Dudney (North Andover, Mass.) and one-timed in a blast for his second marker of the season. Dudney picked up an assist on the play.

Graduate forward Ryan Ruffing (Westborough, Mass.) capped the Ravens offensive barrage in the 36th minute when Mueller turned set-up man with another nice crossing pass in front of the net, which Ruffing was able to bury. Mueller picked up the helper to log a three-point afternoon, while Ruffing netted his first marker in a Franklin Pierce uniform.

The Ravens held a commanding 11-3 advantage in shots in the opening 45 minutes and ended up logging a 22-10 edge in that category for the match.

Graduate keeper Jake Wright (Los Angeles, Calif.) started in goal for the Ravens and did not need to make a save in the opening 45 minutes, but still walked away with the win to run his record to 4-2 on the year. Sophomore Sam Meza (Whittier, Calif.) was inserted into goal to start the second half, which turned out to be a special moment as he was seeing his first collegiate action.

Stonehill peppered Meza with several shots in the second half, but the sophomore was able to make three saves to keep the Skyhawks from coming back. Stonehill, though, was able to solve Meza in the 79th minute as Michael Deneault scored on an unassisted marker.

Franklin Pierce returns to action Tuesday when the Ravens travel to face Saint Rose at 7 p.m. in Albany, N.Y.

For more information on Franklin Pierce men's soccer, please visit the team's page at athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.) To follow the program even further, please visit Franklin Pierce Athletics on YouTube (www.youtube.com/FranklinPierceSports), Twitter (www.twitter.com/FPUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens).