Danforth, Matsumoto net first collegiate goals

WINCHENDON, Mass. (November 23, 2013) – Nine different players had at least a point on Saturday afternoon, led by two assists each from senior forward Jamie Wiley (Cape Vincent, N.Y.) and sophomore forward Bryana Harron (Woburn, Mass.), as the Franklin Pierce University women's ice hockey team doubled up Stevenson, 4-2, at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. Sophomore forward Megan Alexander had a pair of helpers in the loss for Stevenson.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 5-1-0, while Stevenson falls to 3-3-1. Combined with Friday night's 4-1 victory, Franklin Pierce finishes off a two-game weekend sweep of Stevenson, avenging last year's pair of victories by the Mustangs, also at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena.

The first two goals of the game would be the first collegiate markers for a pair of Franklin Pierce freshmen forwards. A rush down the left side of the ice led to the game's first goal at the 5:05 mark of the first period. Sophomore forward Haylea Barbieri (Plainville, Mass.) and freshman defenseman Katie Flynn (Sandwich, Mass.) worked the puck to freshman forward Nina Danforth (Stratford, Conn.) heading into the offensive end on a 2-on-1. Danforth took the shot herself, and Stevenson sophomore goaltender Anastassia Nelson got a piece of it with her left shoulder, but it deflected from there into the top-right corner for Danforth's first career goal.

Eight minutes later, another rush up the ice led to the first career score for freshman forward Lanie Matsumoto (Fort Collins, Colo.). After taking the puck from Harron, Wiley was able to work her way towards the slot and put the puck on net. Sophomore Sarah Modzelewski had taken over in net for the Mustangs, and she made the save on Wiley's shot. The rebound fell to Matsumoto, who was able to beat Modzelewski from the left-wing side of the net at 13:06.

The Ravens would push the lead as high as 3-0 by cashing in on a two-man advantage at the 17:54 mark of the opening stanza. Sophomore forward Michaela Faia (Malden, Mass.) put home a rebound for her fourth of the season, while sophomore forward Karsyn Baker (Detroit, Mich.) and sophomore defenseman Sarah Sheils (Pittsburgh, Pa.) picked up the assists.

After the second period went scoreless for the second time in as many days, Stevenson attempted to mount a third-period comeback. The Mustangs converted on a power-play chance at 4:17, just 12 seconds after sophomore defenseman Michelle Stock (Austin, Texas) was whistled for interference. Sophomore defenseman Tori Emoff sent the puck to Alexander at the left point, where the latter wound and fired. Freshman forward Stephanie Tartaglino was able to deflect the puck en route for her first collegiate goal.

After both teams sent a number of players to the penalty box through the middle portions of the final frame, Stevenson drew within a goal at 3-2 with 4:41 to play. Sophomore forward Molly O'Neil put away a rebound while Alexander and Tartaglino picked up the assists.

Just 2:18 after the O'Neil goal, Franklin Pierce picked up a much-needed insurance goal to create the 4-2 final. In a play which ultimately developed into a 3-on-2 down low in the offensive end, Harron and Wiley set up sophomore forward Francesca Paciello (Clinton, N.Y.) for her fourth goal of the season and second in as many days.

Freshman Noelle White (Corona, Calif.) faced only 20 shots in the matinee affair and turned aside 18 of them to pick up the win (3-1-0) in net for Franklin Pierce. At the other end, Nelson made five saves against six shots before being lifted near the midway point of the first period. Modzelewski went the rest of the way for Stevenson, made 21 saves against 24 shots and took the loss (2-2-0).

The Ravens return to the ice on Saturday, Dec. 7, when they travel to Buffalo State for the first game of a two-game weekend set. Opening faceoff is set for 4 p.m. at Buffalo State Ice Arena in Buffalo, N.Y. Franklin Pierce next plays at home on Friday, Dec. 13 against SUNY Canton at 8 p.m.

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 women's ice hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).