RINDGE, N.H. – Saint Anselm scored early in its men's soccer matchup against intrastate rival Franklin Pierce Tuesday evening, but the host Ravens notched a goal in the closing minutes of each half for a 2-1 comeback victory.
The loss drops the Hawks to 3-8 overall and 2-6 in Northeast-10 Conference play, while Franklin Pierce improved to 7-4-1 overall and 5-3-1 in league games.
Saint Anselm caught Franklin Pierce on its heels early, as sophomore Jack Lynch (Weymouth, Mass.) struck first in the fifth minute. Lynch put away a cross from junior Sean Smith (Hampstead, N.H.) to tally his third goal of the season and first since Sept. 20.
The Ravens responded, however, in the 41st minute with a volleyed ball inside the box to lock the game at 1-1 at the half.
Franklin Pierce proved the aggressor in the second half, outshooting the Hawks 12-3 in the second stanza. Yet just when the Saint Anselm defense looked like it was about to push overtime, Raven Quincy Appah beat his defender and fired a shot right post to score the game-winner in the 87th minute.
Sophomore goalkeeper Stephen McLeod (Chelmsford, Mass.) tallied seven saves, while Lynch tallied four of the team's nine total shots for the game.
Saint Anselm will return to Melucci for a two-game home slate beginning Saturday in a 3:30 p.m. matchup against Southern Connecticut State.
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