RINDGE, N.H. -- Freshman Kim Merritt (Norwalk, Conn.) scored two goals, including the game-winning tally, as the Southern Connecticut State University field hockey team maintained its pace for a Northeast-10 Tournament berth with a 4-3 win over Franklin Pierce on Saturday afternoon.

The Owls are now 7-11, 6-8 in conference play. Franklin Pierce moved to 1-15, 1-12.

For the second time in three games, the Owls merited a goal in the opening 90 seconds. However, once again, SCSU rallied back to eventually win the contest.

After a FPU goal just 75 seconds into the game, Kate Gedney (Westbrook, Conn.) found the back of the net off a penalty corner just past the 15 minute mark.

Then, just less than six minutes later, Whitney Martin (Harwinton, Conn.) scored her 12th goal of the year off a feed from Merritt.

Franklin Pierce tied the game at 2-2 just under three minutes later. Again, the Owls responded when Merritt scored her first of the year with just 1:17 remaining in the opening half. Grace Martha (Cheshire, Conn.) assisted on the goal.

The game remained the way deep into the second half before Merritt scored her second of the contest with 9:06 remaining. Martha also assisted on that score.

Franklin Pierce tacked on another goal, but the Owls were able to hang on for the one-goal win.

Goalie Lauren Zarrella (Morris, Conn.) tallied six saves in the contest.

The Owls are back in action on Tuesday for a home game against Assumption.