Chargers Lose Heartbreaker In NCAA New England Regional Championship

15 Franklin Pierce Tips #7 Dominican, 1-0 in Overtime

Rindge, NH (11/12/05) Second-seeded Franklin Pierce, ranked No. 15 in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II poll, out-lasted top-seeded and No. 7-ranked Dominican College, 1-0, in overtime in the NCAA Division II New England Region Championship tonight at Sodexho Field.

All-America forward Christopher Joyce (Jarrow, England) converted a penalty kick with 2:29 remaining in the first overtime period to lift Franklin Pierce to its second-straight New England region title. Joyce drove his penalty kick into the lower right corner of the net past Dominican sophomore goalkeeper Robert Kelly (Kearny, NJ). Joyce was awarded the penalty after a controversial call was made by the official.

Senior Kyle Clancy (Walden, N.Y./Pine Bush), named to the All-Tournament team, was the catalyst for Dominican all night, with several breaks in one-on-one with Jim Thorpe (East Longmeadow, MA). The Ravens goalkeeper came up with saves on Clancy in the 53rd and 75th minutes to keep the match scoreless. Clancy also had open looks on three other shots that missed either just wide or high of the target.

"I should have scored," said Clancy. "It's my fault today. I had open looks, but couldn't convert them. It's a tough way to go out like this."

Kelly finished with two saves for Dominican on the night as the Chargers finished with a 13-9 advantage in shots.

AGATE

Franklin Pierce College (16-5-4)001--1

Dominican College (18-2)000--0

Scoring

1.FPCChristopher Joyce(penalty kick)97:31

Goalkeeping

Franklin Pierce CollegeJim Thorpe5 saves97:31

Dominican CollegeRobert Kelly2 saves97:31

NCAA DIVISION II MEN'S NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Most Outstanding Offensive Player:

Christopher Joyce, Franklin Pierce

Most Outstanding Defensive Player:

James Thorpe, Franklin Pierce

F - Marek Hawrylik (Olsztyn, Poland), Franklin Pierce

F - Kyle Clancy, (Walden, NY), Dominican

M - Ryan Clancy (Walden, NY), Dominican

M - Jhonny Arteaga (Stamford, CT), Dominican

M - Jason Grier (Norwell, MA), Franklin Pierce

B - Bisharra Ettienne (Queens, NY), Franklin Pierce

B - Andre Elphic (St. Catherines, Jamaica), Franklin Pierce

B - Tom Rolston (New City, NY), Dominican

B - Joe Ruesgan, (Scotland) Dominican