MANCHESTER, NH. – The No. 10 nationally ranked Assumption University field hockey team scored four second-half goals as they ran away from Franklin Pierce University, 4-1, in a non-conference matchup Wednesday evening at Brian Kelly '83 Stadium.
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 4, Franklin Pierce University 1
Records: Greyhounds (9-4, 4-1 NE10) | Ravens (5-9, 2-3 NE10)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Assumption controlled the offensive tempo from the opening whistle against Franklin Pierce, outshooting the Ravens 10-1 in the first quarter.
Nova Rijks,
Caroline Mastergeorge, and
Julia Carbone all generated early scoring opportunities, but Franklin Pierce goalkeeper Zoe Noorlag made eight saves to keep the contest scoreless. The Greyhounds continued to pressure the defense in the second quarter, recording eight additional shots, including an attempt from
Mieke Rentsch that struck the post. Despite leading 18-1 in shots through the first half, Assumption entered halftime tied 0-0.
The Greyhounds finally broke through at 33:02 in the third quarter when
Marta Brzoska scored her sixth goal of the season on an assist from Rijks, giving Assumption a 1-0 lead. Just over three minutes later, Rijks converted a penalty stroke at 36:30 to double the lead. Franklin Pierce responded at 37:32 when Cecelia Keller scored to cut the deficit to 2-1, but Rijks answered just 33 seconds later with her second penalty-stroke goal of the evening, restoring the Greyhounds' two-goal advantage.
Assumption continued to dominate offensively through the rest of the third quarter, generating 18 shots and seven penalty corners. Mastergeorge, Carbone, and Rentsch each tested Noorlag, but the Ravens' goalkeeper kept the deficit at two entering the final quarter.
The Greyhounds maintained their offensive pressure in the fourth quarter, recording 10 shots while limiting Franklin Pierce to just two attempts. With just two seconds remaining in regulation, Carbone capped the scoring with her sixth goal of the season, finishing a play set up by Rijks and
Daisy Stone to secure the 4-1 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Abbie Derosier made six saves in the win.
- Assumption outshot Franklin Pierce 46-10 and took 15 of 16 penalty corners.
- Rijks' four points are a career-high for the junior.
- Franklin Pierce netminder Zoe Noorlag's 29 saves tied for the most saves in Division II this season, and the most by a Northeast 10 goalie (19 by Frederique den Hartog, AIC vs. SNHU).
- Assumption leads the all-time series 35-9.
UP NEXT
- Assumption vs. Southern New Hampshire University, Saturday, October 24, 1:00 pm
- Franklin Pierce vs. Southern Connecticut State University, Saturday, October 24, 6:00 pm
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