COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (12/11/25) – The Franklin Pierce University women's soccer team is heading back to the NCAA Division II Championship match after a dramatic 2–1 comeback victory over Washburn on Thursday evening at Weidner Field. Trailing with less than 10 minutes to play, the Ravens scored twice in under a minute to stun the Ichabods and advance.
Score: Franklin Pierce 2, Washburn 1
Records: Franklin Pierce (17-2-5, 6-1-2), Washburn (14-4-6, 8-0-4)
Location: Weidner Field, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A tightly contested first half saw both sides generate chances but neither able to break through. Franklin Pierce nearly took the early edge in the 19th minute when Jenna Delgado (Gilroy, Calif.) fired a driven shot from the top of the box that forced action from the Washburn goalkeeper.
- Washburn struck first after halftime. In the 60th minute, Sam Searcey played a ball wide to Kate Hinck, who created separation and finished into the net to make it 1–0 Ichabods.
- But the Ravens were far from finished. In the 81st minute, a foul just outside the box set up a Franklin Pierce free kick—a familiar danger zone for opponents. After a clever sequence with multiple Ravens running over the ball, Kaitlyn Bautista (Scurry, Texas) stepped up and buried the equalizer to tie the match at 1–1.
- Momentum swung instantly. Just 53 seconds later, Franklin Pierce earned a corner kick. Claudia Peirce (Carver, Mass.) delivered the service to Delgado whose shot deflected off a Washburn defender and fell to Makenzie Shean (Agawam, Mass.). Shean capitalized, blasting home the go-ahead goal to put the Ravens in front 2–1—completing the rapid comeback.
BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS
- Washburn held a 16–9 advantage in total shots, while Franklin Pierce edged the Ichabods 7–6 in shots on target.
- Jess LaCroix (Nashua, N.H.) recorded five saves to secure the postseason victory.
UP NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: With the win, Franklin Pierce advances to the NCAA Championship match for the 8th time in program history. The Ravens will meet the winner of Florida Tech and Cal Poly Pomona with a national title on the line.
