Seniors Bid Farewell as Ravens Thrash Umass Lowell

by Daryl Jeannetti
edited by Erica Jordan

As the curtain comes to a close on the 2010 season, the Franklin Pierce women’s basketball team had their Senior Night last night in the Field House.

For Seniors Alexis Auffray, Rachael Kimball, Kirsten Dooldoorian, and Johanna Leedham last night was the last regular season home game in a Franklin Pierce uniform. The Senior Night ceremony took place just before game time and in addition to all of the seniors being presented with a framed plaque and flowers the night held a few more surprises.

Former Ravens coach Mark Swasey gave a video presentation to the seniors wishing them luck with this season and with all of their future endeavors. Another video presentation was given by the athletic department showing a highlight reel of these seniors and their triumphs.

However the biggest surprise of the night may have been the timing in which Athletic Director Bruce Kirsh decided to retire senior standout and reigning two-time Northeast 10 player of the year Johanna Leedham’s number. Announcing the retirement of her number 13 last night and presenting her with a framed jersey as well as hanging her jersey in the field house hallway.

When looking back at the night Senior Point Guard Alexis Auffray said, “last night was magical, all four seniors families attended, Jo’s (Johanna Leedham) number was retired. The team played a great game to end the regular season. It was a night I will never forget.” Auffray and Doldoorian combined to score eighteen points in what was their first start of the season. The seniors in total combined to score forty two of the team’s ninety one points, helping the Ravens close out the season with a 91-38 win against an overmatched Umass-Lowell team.

While this night was meant for the seniors, underclassmen were affected by this night as well. Sophomore Anna Mapes said, “We’ll really miss the seniors, they all played great tonight and it was so good to see them out there having fun on our home court. It was a great win and we can’t wait for the tournament to start.”

The Franklin Pierce women’s basketball team will now wait to hear who they will play in the first round of the Northeast 10 tournament which is scheduled to start on March 2^nd. Regardless of how the women Ravens perform in the conference tournament they will receive a bid into the national tournament in hopes of capturing a national championship victory, which would be the first in program history.