Cowden leads Ravens with first hat-trick of the season

RINDGE, N.H. (April 9, 2006) - The Franklin Pierce Men's lacrosse team suffered a tough 16-6 loss to Bryant University in Northeast-10 action this afternoon at Sodexho Field. The Bulldogs held the Ravens to just one goal in the first half to earn their sixth victory of the season.

Bryant was led by freshman Bryan Kauffam (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Mahopac) and classmate Matt McKeefrey (Melville, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills East) who both registered five points on the day. McKeefrey tallied a game-high three goals and two assists while Kauffman was solid with two goals and three assists. Senior Adam Smith (Bainbridge Island, Wash./Bainbridge) chipped in with four points on the day, posting two goals and two assists.

Franklin Pierce received solid offensive production from senior captain Nick Cowden (Marblehead, Mass./Marblehead) who registered his first hat-trick of the season. Freshman Kyle Kruse (Bourne, Mass./Bourne) connected for three total points in the game, scoring two goals and adding one assist. Junior Michael Willis (Hingham, Mass./Hingham) chipped in on offense with his third goal of the season.

Bryant University took a 7-1 lead into halftime and exploded for nine more goals in the second half to secure the victory. Franklin Pierce was silenced during the most of the first half, but the Ravens were able to chip away at the Bryant lead, netting four goals in the fourth frame.

Franklin Pierce was out-shot 60-24. Franklin Pierce goalkeeper Ben Lek (Gaithersburg, Md./Col. Zadok Magruder) made his first start in net this season for the Ravens. The senior goalkeeper notched a season-high 26 saves despite the loss. Bryant University sophomore goalkeeper Michael Kennedy (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Comsewogue) earned the win for the Bulldogs, stopping six shots in the 30 minutes of play.

Franklin Pierce (0-7, 0-6 NE-10) will be in action again on Wednesday as it travels to Saint Anselm College for a match at 3:30 p.m. Bryant University  (6-2, 4-1 NE-10) will host Southern New Hampshire University on Wednesday at 4 p.m.  

GAME STATISTICS

Bryant 16, Franklin Pierce 6            

Bryant Scoring:
Goals: Matt McKeefrey (3); Bryan Kauffman (2); Adam Smith (2); Kevin Hoagland (1); Steve Coppinger (1); Bill Palacino (1); Jason Zilewicz (1); Jedd Storeshenko (1); Craig Buckhout (1)(l; Michael Rondon (1); Tommy Maher (1); Brad Burkhardt (1);  
Assists: Kauffman (3); McKeefrey (2); Zach Rosenow (2); Smith (2); Brent Stoothoff (2); Coppinger (1) Hoagland (1); Palacino (1);

Franklin Pierce Scoring:
Goals: Nick Cowden (3); Kyle Kruse (2); Michael Willis (1); 
Assists: Jason Flanigan (1); Kruse (1); McCullough (1);

Goaltending:
BU: Michael Kennedy (30:00) six saves (win); Brad Burkhardt (25:46) three saves; Daniel Schloss (4:14), one save.
FP:  Ben Lek (60:00), 26 saves.