Jonathan Hope and the Skyhawk offense managed 11 shots, but put only one on target. (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)

Two first-half goals hold up for Ravens

EASTON, Mass. (October 16, 2010) – Stonehill College lost a 2-0 decision to Franklin Pierce University, currently ranked third nationally in Division II by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), in a Northeast-10 Conference men's soccer matchup on Saturday.

Franklin Pierce jumped ahead early behind goals from sophomore Marc Santos (East Hartford, Conn./East Hartford) and graduate student Jeff Hay (Dudley, Mass./Shepherd Hill Regional), and the lead held up after Stonehill fired off 11 total shots but put only one on target. Junior goalkeeper Vinny Papageorgiou (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington HS) made one save for the Ravens, and senior Brandon McFarlane (Norwich, Conn./Norwich Free Academy) made two stops in the Stonehill net.

The Skyhawks dominated possession in the second half, keeping the action largely in the Franklin Pierce end, but were unable to convert six second-half shots. Down the field, the Stonehill defense, anchored by junior Chris Agan (Niskayuna, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) and sophomore Kris Brassard (Barre, Vt./Tilton School), kept the Skyhawks in the game as they held Franklin Pierce to just one shot on goal during the second half.

Santos connected in the third minute after graduate student Shaun Taylor (Isle of Wight, England/Sandown) sent a cross from the left side straight across the front of the net to Santos at the right post. Hay added the second off a corner kick by junior Paul Latif (Newcastle, England/Heaton Manor) in the 26th minute for the final 2-0 advantage.

Stonehill (5-6-1, 3-5-1 NE-10) next visits Assumption College on October 20 at 7 p.m. Franklin Pierce (10-1-1, 8-0-1 NE-10) hosts Saint Anselm College at the same time.