MELBOURNE, Fla. (8/27/26) - Coming off a successful 2025 season, the Ravens opened the 2026 campaign with a rematch against Florida Tech after falling to the Panthers in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship. Looking for revenge in the season opener, Franklin Pierce battled throughout but ultimately fell to Florida Tech, 4-1.
Score: Franklin Pierce 1, Florida Tech 4
Records: Franklin Pierce (0-1-0, 0-0-0 NE10), Florida Tech (1-0-0, 0-0-0 SSC)
Location: Rick Stottler Field, Melbourne, Florida
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Florida Tech struck first when Alice Mottershead chipped a shot over Franklin Pierce goalkeeper Jessica LaCroix (Nashua, N.H.) from outside the box to give the Panthers an early 1-0 advantage.
- The Ravens held the Panthers off the scoreboard for the remainder of the first half, heading into halftime trailing 1-0.
- Florida Tech doubled its lead early in the second half when Nina Santiago fired a shot from outside the box that found the back of the net.
- The Panthers continued to apply pressure shortly after, as Charlotte Waibel connected with Mottershead, who scored her second goal in the contest to extend Florida Tech's lead to 3-0.
- Franklin Pierce answered when Aino Martikainen (Järvenpää, Finland) found the left corner of the net on a free kick from just outside the box, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
- The Panthers added one more goal late in the contest, securing the 4-1 victory over the Ravens.
BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS
- The Ravens had 4 shots on goal while the Panthers had 7.
- LaCroix made 3 saves.
NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens will face Lee University on Saturday, August 29th at 4:00 PM in Melbourne, Florida.
