Freshman midfielder Jacob Blixt struck in the 22nd minute and junior back Hamish Cadigan followed in the 34th minute on Friday night, providing all the offense necessary at Sodexo Field. The Franklin Pierce University men’s soccer team used the two first-half goals and held Saint Anselm to just one shot on goal on the way to a 2-0 win in Northeast-10 Conference play.
With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 7-2-0 (5-2-0 Northeast-10), while Saint Anselm falls to 2-7-0 (1-6-0 Northeast-10).
Blixt finished off the only goal the Ravens would need in the 22nd minute on Friday night. Senior back Casey Schehl provided the setup, as he skittered a low cross along the turf from the left-wing side. Blixt was on the receiving end at the top of the six-yard box, in front of the left post. Blixt took a touch and then fired his seventh goal of the season past Saint Anselm junior goalkeeper Helio Meirelles Neto.
Franklin Pierce controlled the run of play throughout much of the night. The Ravens finished the game with advantages of 19-11 in shot attempts, 8-1 in shots on goal and 9-5 in corner kicks.
Freshman goalkeeper Jadel Poon-Lewis needed to make only one save to pick up the win (7-2-0) in net for Franklin Pierce and post his second shutout of the season. Neto (0-1-0) finished with six saves against eight shots on goal and took the loss at the other end for Saint Anselm.
The Ravens return to the field on Tuesday, when they travel to Adelphi for a Northeast-10 contest. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m.