Men’s Soccer Falls to Franklin Pierce in Season Finale, 3-1

Vercollone scores the lone goal for the Skyhawks

RINDGE, N.H. (October 27, 2017) – The Stonehill men's soccer team fell to Franklin Pierce University, 3-1, Friday night at Sodexo Field to conclude its 2017 season.

Stonehill (6-10-2, 3-9-1 NE10) saw Stephen Vercollone (Pembroke, Massachusetts/Pembroke) tally his second goal of his career during the game, while senior goalkeeper Conor McDonough (Bridgewater, Massachusetts/Coyle and Cassidy) recorded seven saves in the loss.

Franklin Pierce's (7-6-2, 5-6-2 NE10) Yannik Felber, Niklas Laudahn and Noam Kolakofsky registered the goals, while Joel Peterson and Kolakofsky tallied the assists.

The Ravens got off to a good start in the first half, as Kolakofski sent a shot wide of the net in the second minute of the game, which was followed by a corner kick from Peterson at 2:30.

Stonehill was called offside at the 15th minute, and Franklin Pierce's Kolakofsky took the ball down the left side dropping a give and go to Felber for a strike to the right side of the net putting the Ravens up 1-0 in the 16th minute.

The Skyhawks responded in the 27th minute, as Zach McCormick (Westfield, Massachusetts/Suffield Academy) ripped the ball at the post and Vercollone launched a one-time shot to the back of the net picking up the equalizer and his second goal of the season. The Ravens held an 8-6 shot advantage at the end of the half, as they also tallied the only corner kick of the frame.

Once again, Franklin Pierce got on board early in the second half, with a goal in the 56th minute. Peterson drove the ball down the right crossing it to Laudahn who buried it in the left side off a volley for another one-goal lead, 2-1.

Six minutes later, the Raven's Charlie Madden launched the ball high of the net, and Kolakofsky picked up the goal kick from a forced turnover, battling one-on-one from the right and chipping it to the back of the net for a two-goal lead, 3-1.

Stonehill picked up the intensity and recorded four shots in the remaining minutes, while Franklin Pierce registered two shots that were stopped by McDonough in the 78th minute and the 87th minute.

Stonehill concluded its season with a 6-10-2 overall mark and a 3-9-1 NE10 Conference record. The Skyhawks finished 10th in the conference out of 14 teams.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on TwitterInstagram and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.