COUGARS
MEN'S SOCCER

MEN'S SOCCER DROPS SEASON OPENER TO NO. 2 FRANKLIN PIERCE, 1-0

8-31-06
box score
RINDGE, N.H. - A late goal by Raphael Guimaraes allowed Franklin Pierce College, ranked No. 2 nationally, to defeat Caldwell College, 1-0 at the Franklin Pierce Labor Day Classic Thursday evening at Sodexho Field. The loss marked the first game of the 2006 season for the Cougars, while the Ravens remained unbeaten at 3-0 on the year.

The lone goal of the game came in the 78th minute, when Jason Grier's cross from the right side was headed home by Guimaraes, who tallied his second goal of the season. The Ravens out-shot the Cougars 11-1 in the second half and 11-4 for the game.

Caldwell dominated possession in the first half and held Franklin Pierce to no shots in the game's first 45 minutes. The Cougars' best scoring chance came at the 12-minute mark, when a give-and-go by senior forward Bard Skjelstad (Bodo, Norway) and sophomore defender Asgeir Ofstad (Trondheim, Norway) (pictured) down the right side gave Ofstad a clear shot on goal. But Ravens' goalkeeper James Thorpe made a spectacular save to his left on Ofstad's blast. Thorpe, a third-team All-American last season, recorded his 27th career shutout.

Sophomore goalkeeper John Plaugic (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) made three saves, all in the second half, for Caldwell.

The Cougars return to action at the Franklin Pierce Labor Day Classic on Saturday, Sept. 2, when they face the University of Bridgeport at 4:30 p.m. at Sodexho Field. The game will be broadcast on the internet on the Ravens' athletics website. Click here to access the webcast.
 

FPC - 0 1 - 1

CC - 0 0 - 0

Scoring Summary: 1. FPC - Raphael Guimaraes 2 (Jason Grier), 77:12.

Shots: CC - 4; PU - 11

Saves: CC - John Plaugic 3; FPC - James Thorpe 1

Corners: CC - 4; FPC - 6

Fouls: CC - 15; FPC - 16

Offsides: CC - 1; FPC - 2

Cautions: none

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