Saint Anselm College

MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Saint Anselm College men's soccer team rallied from a one-goal deficit to defeat No. 21 Franklin Pierce University, 2-1, in Northeast 10 Conference action on Wednesday afternoon at Melucci Field.

After falling behind early in the second half, the Hawks responded with a penalty kick goal from junior Brian Jones before senior Jackson Dresens netted the game-winner in the 80th minute. With the victory, Saint Anselm improved to 8-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play, earning its first win over a nationally ranked opponent since September 20, 2023 when the Hawks downed No. 9 Southern New Hampshire University, 2-0. It was also the first win over the Ravens since September 26, 2017, when the Hawks defeated 21st-ranked Franklin Pierce by a 3-2 score.

Highlights

• Dresens scored his third goal of the season and second game-winner, finding the back of the net in the 80th minute to secure the comeback victory.
• Jones converted a penalty kick in the 53rd minute to even the score at 1-1, recording his fifth goal of the season.
• Graduate goalkeeper David Hood made eight saves, including five in the opening half, to help the Hawks secure their fourth consecutive victory.
• Franklin Pierce held a 21-9 advantage in shots, including a 9-3 edge in shots on goal. Both teams finished with two corner kicks.
• The victory marked Saint Anselm's first win over a nationally ranked opponent in nine years. The Hawks also improved their all-time record against Franklin Pierce to 14-31-3 through 48 meetings.

How it Happened
Franklin Pierce generated several scoring opportunities in the opening half, but Hood made five saves to keep the Ravens off the scoreboard. Saint Anselm registered five shots in the first 45 minutes as the teams entered halftime scoreless.

The Ravens broke through in the 50th minute when Neketa Chkradiouk delivered a long ball into the that Guillermo Rios headed into the net to give Franklin Pierce a 1-0 advantage.

Saint Anselm responded just over three minutes later after a handball inside the penalty area awarded the Hawks a penalty kick. Jones stepped up and converted the opportunity at in the 53rd minute to level the match at 1-1.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, senior Yves Maurer sent a ball forward toward the Franklin Pierce penalty area. Ravens goalkeeper Toby Lewis came off his line in an attempt to clear the ball, but his deflection fell to Dresens, who gathered the loose ball and finished into the open net at 79:39 to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead.

Franklin Pierce continued to apply pressure in the closing minutes, but the Saint Anselm defense held firm to secure the victory.

Up Next
The Hawks will look to extend their winning streak when they travel to Springfield, Massachusetts, to face AIC in Northeast 10 Conference action on Saturday, October 24, at 3 PM.