#17 Women's Soccer Falters at Franklin Pierce, Falls 3-0
RINDGE, NH – The #17 Merrimack women's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season, a 3-0 decision at Franklin Pierce Wednesday evening. The Warriors drop to 10-1-0 overall and 8-1-0 in the Northeast-10 Conference with the loss. The Ravens improved to 5-5 on the year and 3-5 in league action.
The two teams were unable to tally a goal in the first half as the match was knotted at 0-0 at intermission. Both squads fired five shots in the opening frame and Merrimack earned both corner kicks.
Amanda Panaro broke the scoreless tie in the 52nd minute with her fourth goal of the season. Panaro's tally gave Franklin Pierce a 1-0 lead.
In the 80th minute, Panaro found the back of the net for the second time on the night. She intercepted a pass at midfield and dribbled to the top of the penalty box before firing a shot into the upper left corner of the cage.
Tori Ghikas knocked in a rebound in front of the goal 1:15 after Panaro put the hosts ahead 2-0. Ghikas' fourth goal of the year extended the Ravens' advantage to three goals.
Franklin Pierce finished the contest with a 12-8 edge in shots while each side was awarded three corner kicks in the game.
Kiley Horne (Scituate, MA) made four saves between the pipes for the Warriors. Jocelyn Leon stopped five shots in net for the home team.
"We played well in the first half and we couldn't generate much offense in the second," said head coach Gabe Mejail.
Merrimack will look to get back on the winning track as it travels to Le Moyne for a Northeast-10 Conference match October 8.
