The NCAA News - News and Features

December 15, 1997

Franklin Pierce women claim fourth straight crown in soccer

Franklin Pierce won its fourth consecutive Division II Women's Soccer Championship with a 3-0 win over West Virginia Wesleyan December 7 at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Pauliina Miettinen scored once and assisted on another goal as the Ravens completed an unbeaten campaign for the third time in four years. Franklin Pierce, 21-0 this year, is 78-1 over the last four seasons.

Miettinen's goal was her sixth of the championship and tied a tournament record set by Cal State Dominguez Hills' Heather Rolland, who also scored six in this year's tournament. Miettinen holds the record for career tournament goals with 13.

She factored in both Ravens goals in the first half against West Virginia Wesleyan (21-2-1), converting a penalty kick in the 17th minute and assisting Brenda Van Stralen later in the half for a 2-0 lead. Marisa Giannone earned the shutout with four saves.

"I'm glad it's all over," Franklin Pierce head coach Jeff Bailey said. "It's been an up-and-down year with injuries and such. Today, the key was getting the first goal out of the way. After that, we just had to play our game to secure the win."

Both teams had to work overtime in the semifinals. Franklin Pierce, fresh off a four-overtime affair against Adelphi in the quarterfinals, was pushed to a third extra period by Cal State Dominguez Hills before Miettinen netted the game-winner in the 127th minute.

The 4-3 outcome ended Cal State Dominguez Hills' season at 16-4-2 and spoiled a three-goal effort by Rolland, who tied Miettinen's tournament record for most goals in a game.

"A brilliantly played game," Cal State Dominguez Hills head coach Karen Hanks said. "Unfortunately, we came out on the wrong end of the score."

West Virginia Wesleyan took two overtimes to subdue Lynn (19-2-1), winning, 1-0, on a goal by Juli Hanrath with under four minutes to play before the teams would have advanced to sudden death.

Hanrath's goal came from a rebound off Lynn goalkeeper Nikki Kalavitis. West Virginia Wesleyan goalkeeper Claudia Heim saved six shots in posting the shutout.

Miettinen was named the tournament's most-outstanding offensive player while Van Stralen earned most-outstanding honors on defense. The rest of the all-tournament team consisted of Anne Parnila, Pauliina Auveri and Christy Santiago of Franklin Pierce; Hanrath, Jen Newkirk and Nicole Monroney of West Virginia Wesleyan; Rolland, Brandy Kaake and Natalie Franklin of Cal State Dominguez Hills; and Lynn's Nicki Sellas and Michelle Cox.

SEMIFINALS

Lynn -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

West Va. Wesleyan -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 1 -- 1

Overtime: WVW -- Juli Hanrath (unassisted), 116:06.

Shots: Lynn 15, West Va. Wesleyan 13. Goalkeeper saves: Lynn (Nikki Kalavitis) 5, West Va. Wesleyan (Claudia Heim) 6. Corner kicks: Lynn 7, West Va. Wesleyan 2. Fouls: Lynn 20, West Va. Wesleyan 18. Attendance: 607.

Cal St. Dom. Hills -- 3 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 3

Franklin Pierce -- 2 -- 1 -- 0 -- 0 -- 1 -- 4

First half: CSDH -- Heather Rolland (Natalie Franklin), 17:16; FP -- Anne Parnila (Pauliina Miettinen), 21:12; FP -- Miettinen (unassisted), 24:12; CSDH -- Rolland (Franklin), 25:33; CSDH -- Rolland (unassisted), 42:32.

Second half: FP -- Christy Santiago (Parnila, Miettinen), 54:18.

Overtime: FP -- Miettinen (unassisted), 126:11.

Shots: Cal St. Dom. Hills 15, Franklin Pierce 18. Goalkeeper saves: Cal St. Dom. Hills (Brandy Kaake) 10, Franklin Pierce (Marisa Giannone) 6. Corner kicks: Cal St. Dom. Hills 6, Franklin Pierce 10. Fouls: Cal St. Dom. Hills 16, Franklin Pierce 14. Attendance: 607.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Franklin Pierce -- 2 -- 1 -- 3

West Va. Wesleyan -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

First half: FP -- Pauliina Miettinen (unassisted), 16:49; FP -- Brenda Van Stralen (Miettinen), 38:19.

Second half: FP -- Anne Parnila (unassisted), 76:42.

Shots: Franklin Pierce 13, West Va. Wesleyan 4. Goalkeeper saves: Franklin Pierce (Marisa Giannone) 2, West Va. Wesleyan (Claudia Heim) 4. Corner kicks: Franklin Pierce 5, West Va. Wesleyan 3. Fouls: Franklin Pierce 15, West Va. Wesleyan 12. Attendance: 164.