Women’s Soccer Looks to Bounce Back against #9 Franklin Pierce Saturday

Matchup	Merrimack (4-4-1)  vs. #9 Franklin Pierce (8-1)
Date/Time	Saturday, Oct. 6 (4 p.m.)
Venue	Martone-Mejail Field | North Andover, Mass.
Multimedia	Live Stats // Video
Social Media	Twitter

 
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack College women's soccer program looks to get back into the win column on Saturday afternoon, as they host #9 Franklin Pierce University.

Last Time Out:

• The Warriors didn't get a shot on goal until the 39^th minute, when sophomore Kailee Stobbe fired off two shots on frame that were shut down.
• Despite the four shots on net for the Penmen, the best opportunity came in the dying seconds of the first half, when Sydney Crema rung the post; junior Erin Fulton came up with four saves through 45 minutes.
• With 32 minutes left, Southern New Hampshire had two slotted opportunities inside the 18-yard box, but Fulton was able to keep the ball out of the net to keep Merrimack in the game.
• Senior Gigi Guenther nearly stole a goal from the Penmen on a corner kick in the 61^st minute. On a short kick out, freshman Izzy McDonnell forced a turnover that landed on the foot of Guenther. The shot from 30 yards out caught SNHU keeper Hannah Rose off her line, and just missed the left post.
• The Warriors took the lead with 19 minutes left in regulation on sophomore Nicole Langlois' first career goal. After a cross in from senior Tori Daigle, a bad touch inside the box send a bounding ball toward Langlois. The sophomore hit the ball in stride, bending it over the head of the keeper and going bar-down for the goal.
• Southern New Hampshire immediately responded, however. With just over 13 minutes left in the second half, Alexis Fruzzetti bent a shot from the deep right corner of the 18, over the head of Fulton and into the side netting to even the score.
• The Warriors had a great chance in the final 30 seconds of regulation. Guenther was able to control a cross into the box, turn, and get a shot off; it beat the SNHU keeper, but rung the crossbar and came back in to play. Both teams dug in for the final 20 seconds, and the game went to overtime.
• With less than a minute left in the first overtime, the Penman ended the game. After a cross inside the box, Fruzzetti netted her second of the night on a scrum inside the box.

 
 
Mack Facts

• Fulton ranks 4^th in the NE10 in save percentage (.825).
• Guenther ranks 2^nd in the NE10 in assists (5) and 4^th in shots (40).
• Merrimack has now played four overtime games this season, all of which have been against conference opponents.
• Sophomore Izzy McDonnell leads the Warriors in goals (5) and points (11).

Inside The Series:

• Merrimack dropped last season's contest against Franklin Pierce on the road, 1-0.
• Despite not putting a W in the column against the Ravens since 2012, the Warriors have either tied or lost by one goal every year since 2013.

Meet the Opposition:

• The Ravens enter Saturday's game ranked nationally, as the first United Soccer Coaches poll was released October 2.
• The Ravens are averaging 2.78 goals/game through the first nine games of the season.
• Junior Veronica Marques and senior Nathalia Maria da Silva are tied for 2^nd in the NE10 in goals scored (8).
• Freshman Casey Kane leads the NE10 in goals allowed/game (.58), giving up just four goals this season.
• Franklin Pierce is coming off an overtime loss to Bentley, a team that tied Merrimack in September.

Up Next
The Warriors will have Sunday off before hosting non-conference Concordia College on Monday Oct. 8. Game time is set for 4 p.m.