For Immediate Release
December 1, 2011
Pensacola, Fla. – Franklin Pierce University's season came to an end in the National Semifinals of the Division II Men's Soccer Championship tonight in Pensacola, Fla. as they were defeated by Lynn University, 1-0.
Lynn's Yocef Oudjidane scored the game's lone goal with just over six minutes left in the contest, sending the Fighting Knights to the national championship game, which will be played Saturday afternoon. On the deciding tally, Lynn's Johnny Mertl took the ball away from Franklin Pierce in the box and sent a pass over to Oudjidane, who beat goalkeeper Vinny Papageorgiou on a gorgeous shot that just found the left corner of the net.
Franklin Pierce was only able to manage six shots throughout the match, as Lynn used a stifling defense to keep the Ravens in check. Only two of the Ravens two shots were put on the Fighting Knights net.
Papageorgiou was outstanding in net, stopping seven of the eight shots he faced. Lynn's Matt Dicerbo registered the shutout in net, stopping the two shots he faced.
The Ravens finish the season with a mark of 21-1-1. This season, they were the Northeast-10 Conference regular season and tournament champions.
Lynn (14-4-3) advances to the national title game. With their win over the 2nd-ranked Ravens, they have now won six games in a row over nationally ranked opponents.
The Northeast-10 is an association of 16 NCAA Division II colleges and universities located in New England and New York that is committed to supporting balanced academic and athletic opportunities for more than 5,500 student-athletes. Each year, 4,000 of those student-athletes compete in Conference championships in 23 sports, making the NE-10 the largest DII conference in the country. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the Northeast-10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
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