#9 Field Hockey Blanks Franklin Pierce in Home Opener, 2-0

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.  – Seniors Taylor Simpson (York, Maine) and Rylie Hammond (Phillipston, Mass.) each scored a goal, sophomore Katharina Ohmen (Bremen, Gemany) posted a five-save shutout and the ninth-ranked Merrimack College field hockey program posted a 2-0 victory on Friday night at Martone-Mejail Field in the Warriors' home opener.

The Basics
Score: #9 Merrimack 2, Franklin Pierce 0
Records: #9 Merrimack (2-1) | Franklin Pierce (2-1)
Location: Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass.

Rapid Recap

• In the eighth minute, Simpson cut through the attacking zone off a penalty corner and pocketed her team-leading third goal of the season to stake Merrimack to a 1-0 lead
• Junior Mary McNeil (Canton, Mass.) had a chance to double the Warriors' lead with a penalty stroke in the 26^th minute, but the All-American hit the shot wide
• Over a 70-second span late in the first half, Ohmen made three of her five saves to prevent a Ravens equalizer
• Simpson created more Merrimack offense in the 61^st minute, attempting a shot that Hammond corralled and buried for her third goal of the year, tying her classmate for the team lead

Team Leaders (MC // FPU)

• Goals: Taylor Simpson & Rylie Hammond (1) // None  
• Assists: Simpson (1)  // None
• Points: Simpson (3) // None 
• Defensive Saves: None // None
• Saves: Katharina Ohmen (5) // Meaghan Williams (14)

Notes and Notables

• The duo of Simpson and Hammond have now combined to score all six of Merrimack's goals through three games
• Ohmen's shutout marked the first of her sophomore campaign and fourth of her career
• Simpson's seven points now lead the Warriors, bringing her career total to 90. She is just the fourth Warrior ever to reach the 90-point plateau

Up Next
The Warriors start a three-game week on Tuesday night in Springfield, Mass. where the Navy and Gold face American International in non-league action at 7 p.m.