Merrimack Stops Franklin Pierce, 24-6
N. ANDOVER, MASS. (April 1, 2003) - The Franklin Pierce men's lacrosse team opened up the Northeast-10 Conference regular season with a 24-6 loss to Merrimack College in Conference action this afternoon.
The Warriors were led by Pat McNamara who netted five goals and dished one assist in the win. Brian Brazill recorded four goals and added four assists for a match-high nine points, while Matt O'Neil totaled four goals and four assists.
Sophomore Nick Mincola (Cohasset, Mass./Gov. Drummer Academy) registered three goals in his collegiate debut, while senior Andrew McEntee (Manhassett, N.Y./Manhassett) posted two goals. Senior Brendon Dillon (Wilton, Conn./Wilton) also chipped in a marker for the Ravens.
The Warriors jumped out to an early three-goal lead midway into the quarter, but Mincola finally answered with a tally of his own to get the Ravens on the board. The Warriors wouldn't let up, however, as they went on to score eight goals to take a 13-2 lead heading into the break.
Mincola and McEntee combined for three goals in the second half, but it wouldn't be enough as the Warriors tacked on 11 markers to make the final, Merrimack 24, Franklin Pierce 6.
Bill McCarthy made five saves in 16 minutes of work before giving way to Paul Piepiora, who made seven. Senior goalkeeper, Andy Cote (Middleton, Mass./Masconomet) recorded 16 saves in 60 minutes in net.
Franklin Pierce (0-1, 0-1 NE-10) returns to action on Thursday, when it travels to Bentley College for a Conference game at 7:30 p.m. Merrimack (1-3, 1-1 NE-10) next hosts Assumption College on Thursday in a Conference matchup.
| 1 | 2 | - | F | |
| Franklin Pierce (0-1, 0-1 NE-10) | 2 | 4 | - | 6 |
| Merrimack (1-3, 1-1 NE-10) | 13 | 11 | - | 24 |
Goals
FP -- Nick Mincola 3, Andy McEntee 2, Brendon Dillon
1
MC -- Pat McNamara 5, Brian Brazill 4, Matt O'Neil
4, Matt O'Neill 2, Mike Fidler 2, Wyatt Brown 2, Greg Mullen 1, Tim
Murphy 1, Brad Winnett 1, Alex Grisaru 1, Kyle Meakim 1.
Assists
FP -- Derek Mandatori 1.
MC -- Brian Brazill 5, Matt O'Neil 4, Matt O'Neill
3, Pat McNamara 1, Alex Grisaru 1, Scott Farquharson 1, Wyatt Brown
1, Greg Mullen 1.
Goalkeepers
Andy Cote (FP) 16 saves; 60:00
Bill McCarthy (MC) 5 saves; 16:33
Paul Piepiora (MC) 7 saves; 33:27.
Shots
FP -- 17
MC -- 50