Women's Soccer

Championship Bound! Franklin Pierce Women's Soccer Beats Washburn in Semifinals

Late Comeback for the Ravens.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Franklin Pierce University women's soccer team is heading back to the NCAA Division II Championship match after a dramatic 2–1 comeback victory over Washburn on Thursday evening at Weidner Field. Trailing with less than 10 minutes to play, the Ravens scored twice in under a minute to stun the Ichabods and advance.

Score: Franklin Pierce 2, Washburn 1
Records: Franklin Pierce (17-2-5, 6-1-2), Washburn (14-4-6, 8-0-4)
Location: Weidner Field, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • A tightly contested first half saw both sides generate chances but neither able to break through. Franklin Pierce nearly took the early edge in the 19th minute when Jenna Delgado fired a driven shot from the top of the box that forced action from the Washburn goalkeeper.
  • Washburn struck first after halftime. In the 60th minute, Sam Searcey played a ball wide to Kate Hinck, who created separation and finished into the net to make it 1–0 Ichabods.
  • But the Ravens were far from finished. In the 81st minute, a foul just outside the box set up a Franklin Pierce free kick—a familiar danger zone for opponents. After a clever sequence with multiple Ravens running over the ball, Kaitlyn Bautista stepped up and buried the equalizer to tie the match at 1–1.
  • Momentum swung instantly. Just 53 seconds later, Franklin Pierce earned a corner kick. Claudia Peirce delivered the service to Delgado whose shot deflected off a Washburn defender and fell to Makenzie Shean. Shean capitalized, blasting home the go-ahead goal to put the Ravens in front 2–1—completing the rapid comeback.
BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS
  • Washburn held a 16–9 advantage in total shots, while Franklin Pierce edged the Ichabods 7–6 in shots on target.
  • Jess LaCroix recorded five saves to secure the postseason victory.
UP NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: With the win, Franklin Pierce advances to the NCAA Championship match for the eighth time in program history. The Ravens will meet Florida Tech on Saturday at 5 p.m. with a national title on the line.

Recap provided by Franklin Pierce athletics.

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