Bird now two back of program's all-time assists record

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 26, 2012) – A controversial game-winning goal and a late shot off the post on Wednesday afternoon conspired to leave the Franklin Pierce University field hockey team on the short end of a 2-1 decision on the road against American International in Northeast-10 Conference play at Ronald J. Abdow Field. Junior midfielder Jessica Rogers (Uxbridge, Mass.) scored the lone goal in defeat for Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 2-8 (0-3 Northeast-10), while American International improves to 2-8 (1-1 Northeast-10).

AIC opened the scoring just 4:53 into the contest, in the aftermath of a penalty corner play. Freshman forward Cheyenne Carden tracked down a loose ball in the slot and backhanded it to the back of the cage to score her first collegiate goal.

The eventual game-winning goal would come at the 17:44 mark, but would not come without controversy. On an AIC penalty corner, senior forward Mackenzie Kewley injected the ball to sophomore midfielder Jacqueline Millard outside the top of the circle. Millard appeared to drive the ball towards the cage before it re-entered the circle and the shot would travel untouched all the way to the backboard. The Ravens bench and portions of the crowd were vehement in their protest that the shot came from outside the circle, but to no avail. The goal was allowed to stand for Millard's first score of the season, which gave AIC a 2-0 lead it would hold through the remainder of the first half.

Franklin Pierce turned up the pressure in the second half and earned an 8-4 edge in penalty corners and a 15-6 advantage in shot attempts (including 7-2 in shots on goal) in the final stanza while in search of a pair of goals to tie the game.

The Ravens would cut the deficit to 2-1 with 16:09 to play on a set play off a penalty corner. Rogers injected the ball to senior midfielder Megan Bird (Laconia, N.H.) at the top of the circle and headed towards the left post. Bird found Rogers with a pass and Rogers one-timed the ball to the back of the cage for her first goal of the season. The assist was the 12th of Bird's career, which leaves her two behind the program record, held by Danielle Dolan '12.

Franklin Pierce would draw five more penalty corners over the remainder of the contest, with the best opportunity to tie the game coming with about two minutes to play in regulation. Rogers again injected the ball to Bird, this time outside the left-wing side of the circle. Bird stepped into the circle and rifled a ball towards the cage and into traffic. The shot was deflected on the way in and beat AIC junior goalkeeper Kori Huffman on the far side. However, the shot rang off the right post and bounded away harmlessly, leaving the Yellow Jackets' 2-1 lead intact. It would prove to be the final legitimate scoring chance for the Ravens on the afternoon, as AIC snuck away with the one-goal victory.

Freshman goalkeeper Sarah Cote (Athol, Mass.) made six saves against eight shots on her cage and took the loss (2-8) in net for Franklin Pierce. Senior back Alyssa Juszczyk (Warren, Mass.) made her team-leading sixth defensive save of the season, and the 10th of her career, early in the first half. She is currently two defensive saves from the program single-season record and four in back of the career record, both of which are held by Kim Jaksina '12.

Huffman made nine saves against 10 shots on goal to pick up the win (2-8) at the other end of the field for AIC.

The Ravens return to the field on Saturday, Sept. 29, when they return home to host Adelphi in a Northeast-10 Conference contest. Game time is set for 11 a.m. at Sodexo Field in Rindge.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce field hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).