Deneault scores first goal of season in 79^th minute for Skyhawks

EASTON, Mass. (September 22, 2012) – The Stonehill College men's soccer team fell to Franklin Pierce University, ranked no. 19 nationally in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, by a score of 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at Skyhawk Field in Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10) action.

Freshman midfielder Nico Mueller (Mannheim, Germany/LFG Mannheim) led the Ravens offensively with a goal and assist. Senior forward Greg Giguere (East Bridgewater, Mass./East Bridgewater/Massasoit Community College) opened up the scoring with his team-leading fifth goal of the season at the 17:36 mark and graduate student and forward Ryan Ruffing (Westborough, Mass./Westborough/Duke) capped Franklin Pierce's three-goal outburst in the opening stanza with his first tally of the season in the 36^th minute.

Mueller put the visitors ahead 2-0 at 20:09 by one-timing a low cross from the right side of the box from junior forward Gareth Dudney (North Andover, Mass./North Andover). Mueller also assisted on the final tally in the first half with a beautiful cross from the left flank directly to Ruffing who headed it in past sophomore reserve goalkeeper Ryan Rincon (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central Regional).

Senior midfielder Michael Deneault (Northbridge, Mass./Northbridge) put the Skyhawks on the board in the second half (78:08) with his first goal of the season. After freshman forward Drew Montano (Avon, Conn./Avon) sliced a through ball inbetween two defenders, Deneault played a one-touch and fired a shot past sophomore backup goalkeeper Sam Meza (Whittier, Calif./Whittier) to break up the shutout. Deneault's marker was also the first of his collegiate career.

Graduate goalkeeper Jake Wright (Los Angeles, Calif./Palos Vertes Peninsula/Hartwick College) started the game for Franklin Pierce but did not record a save. Meza played the entire second half turning away three shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Adam Colella (Wilmington, Mass./St. John's Prep), who started the contest for Stonehill, made two saves before leaving the game due to injury. Rincon made five saves in 80 minutes and eight seconds of action.

Franklin Pierce outshot Stonehill, 22-10, and won the corners matchup 3-2.

The Skyhawks (1-6-1, 0-5-0 NE-10) returns to action on Tuesday, September 25 as Stonehill travels to Assumption College for a 7 p.m. start. The Ravens (4-2-0, 2-1-0 NE-10) visits The College of Saint Rose on Tuesday at 7 p.m.