Recap by student-staff writer Colin Struckman 

RINDGE, N.H. (12/1/24) – After 120 minutes of action, penalty kicks were needed to decide a winner in the East Region final between the Franklin Pierce Ravens and the Jefferson Rams. It came down to Gianna Garozzo to keep the Rams season alive, but she was stonewalled by Ravens keeper Emilie Fox, securing the Ravens 2nd East Region title in 3 seasons.  

Score: Franklin Pierce 1, Jefferson 1 (Franklin Pierce wins in PKs 3-1) 

Records: Franklin Pierce (18-3-2, 8-2-1 NE-10), Jefferson (19-1-3, 11-0-0 CACC) 

Location: Sodexo Field, Rindge, N.H. 

Date: Sunday, December 1, 2024 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The first half proved to be very tight and defensive minded, resulting in a scoreless tie after the first 45 minutes. The Ravens outshot the Rams 4-3. Each team had chances to score in the first half but couldn't break through. The Ravens began with a chance in the 12th minute as junior forward Claudia Peirce (Carver, Mass.) ripped a shot toward the center of the goal, but it was saved by Rams keeper Liv Riddel. Kyra Lesko of the Rams tested senior keeper Emilie Fox (Bridgewater, Mass.) with a shot in the 16th minute but Fox tracked it down. The Ravens had another opportunity in the 21st minute from graduate forward Olivia Kudrikow (Plymouth, Mass.) who fired a shot in the center, but it was stopped by Riddel. The final chance came in the 30th minute courtesy of junior defender Ruby Conroy (Hawthorne, N.J.) who laced a shot headed for the left corner, but Riddel made the stop once again. 

• The scoreless tie was finally broken in the 58th minute, courtesy of the Rams. Alexa Callahan dished a beautiful pass to a streaking Kyra Lesko who tapped it in right in front of the net, gifting the Rams the 1-0 lead.  

• The Rams couldn't hold onto their lead for the remainder of the game, as the Ravens miraculously tied the game at one a piece in the 86th minute. Junior defender Pinja Eklund (Klaukkala, Finland) headed the ball off a corner kick to Ruby Conroy, who slotted it home with her right foot for the equalizer. Extra time was needed to decide a winner between the Ravens and the Rams. 

EXTRA TIME: 

• Chances were hard to come by in the first period of extra time, but the Rams controlled possession.  

• The highest quality scoring chance came from the Rams in the second period of extra time in the 103rd minute. Nikki Dedes ripped a shot headed for the right corner, but Emilie Fox reached up and got her fingertips on it, denying the chance. Neither team could break through in extra time, so penalty kicks were needed to decide a winner in this incredible match. 

PENALTY KICKS: 

• Graduate defender Aino Martikainen (Järvenpää, Finland) began the first round of PKs. Initially, Liv Riddel made the save. However, the officials ruled she came off her line too early so Martikainen was awarded another chance. She made no mistake and slotted it home in the right corner. 

• The Rams responded as Nikki Dedes tucked it home in the left corner to tie it up 1-1.  

• Sophomore midfielder Jenni Huttunen (Suomi, Finland) fired it in the right corner to give the Ravens the 2-1 lead.  

• The Rams went to Kiery Spatz to tie things up, but she ripped a shot off the left post. The Ravens held onto their 2-1 lead.  

• The Ravens took full advantage as freshman midfielder Ana Gerjolj (Slovenia) lifted it in the top left corner to go up 3-1.  

• The Rams were in desperate need of a goal from Alexa Callahan in the 3rd round. The shot once again went off the left post, as the Ravens were still in full command of PKs up 3-1. 

• Junior midfielder Taylor Maher (Clinton, Conn.) had the chance to net the game winner in the 4th round. She couldn't capitalize as she fired a shot toward the right side, but Ridel made the diving save to give the Rams life.  

• The Rams needed a goal in the 4th round to keep their season alive. It was all up to Gianna Garozzo of the Rams. She ripped a shot toward the right side, but Emilie Fox sprawled out to make the save, securing the Ravens win in PKs and sending them to the Elite Eight. 

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS: 

• The Ravens outshot the Rams 16-9. 

• Emilie Fox recorded the win in net for the Ravens, recording 4 saves. 

• The Ravens took 12 corners compared to 4 from the Rams. 

• The Ravens committed 16 fouls compared to 9 from the Rams. The game was very physical as the Ravens received 3 yellow cards compared to 2 for the Rams. 

NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS: 

The Ravens will take on the Shepherd University Rams in the Elite Eight on Saturday (12/7) at Sodexo Field. Kickoff is TBA.