Redhawks Tie Franklin Pierce In Matchup Of Regionally Ranked Teams
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Just one spot separated the Franklin Pierce University and Roberts Wesleyan University women’s soccer teams in the latest United Soccer Coaches East Region poll entering Tuesday’s afternoon’s non-conference match at Roberts.
The fifth-ranked Ravens and sixth-ranked Redhawks went toe-to-toe for 90 minutes before settling for a 0-0 draw in a game played in unseasonably warm conditions.
“It was a battle game,” Roberts coach Sarah McClellan said. “I think it was a fair result because neither team really dominated the other. We had a good work rate against a highly rated team and that will help us continue to prepare for conference play.”
Although neither team found the back of the net, both had quality scoring opportunities in the second half.
Roberts freshman Jenna Northup cracked a 20-yard shot off the crossbar with 31:30 remaining before Franklin Pierce (3-2-4) responded and hit the bar 2:30 later. The Redhawks put together another flurry about 10 minutes later, but a Ravens’ defender made a save on the line to keep the match scoreless.
Roberts (7-1-2) hed a 15-8 advantage in shots while both sides put four shots on net.
The Redhawks extended their unbeaten streak to seven games (5-0-2) as senior Nicolette Knauf, the reigning East Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Week made four saves. Roberts also conceded only one goal in the last seven games.
“I think that they are continuing to improve,” McClellan said of the Redhawks’ defense. “We have a strong group of players in our back line rotation.”
Roberts returns to conference action on Saturday with an 11 a.m. match at the College of Staten Island.
PLAYERS MENTIONED
#1 Nicolette Knauf
GK 5′ 6″ Senior
#23 Jenna Northup
D 5′ 7″ Freshman