Highest ranking ever in program history

RINDGE, N.H. (May 28, 2012) -- The Franklin Pierce University men's lacrosse team concluded the 2012 season tied for third in the final New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Division II Poll. It marked the program's highest ranking ever in the regional poll.

The Ravens were tied with Saint Anselm for the third spot, while Merrimack finished first and Saint Michael's finished second. Bentley finished in fifth place.

Franklin Pierce earned the high ranking after posting a 7-6 record during the season. It marked the program's first-ever winning record and the victory total was the highest for a single season in school history. The Ravens also posted a 5-5 mark in Northeast-10 Conference play and finished tied for fifth in the league. The top-five league finish was the highest in program history and came just a couple of months after the Ravens were tabbed to finish 10th in the NE-10's preseason poll.

Franklin Pierce had several memorable wins throughout the season, including an 11-10 win over No. 9 Saint Anselm back on April 14 in Manchester. The victory was the Ravens first over a nationally-ranked opponent. Franklin Pierce also defeated Southern New Hampshire and Pace for the first time in program history. The 10-9 triumph over Pace in the regular season finale back on April 28 secured the first winning season for the Ravens.

The Ravens were led by head coach Rick Senatore, who was named the NE-10 and NEILA's Coach of the Year following the impressive campaign. He has guided Franklin Pierce to a combined 15 wins over his first three seasons in Rindge (2010-12), which is an amazing feat considering the program won just 17 games total during its first 12 seasons from 1998-2009.

After never appearing in the NEILA poll prior to the 2010 season, Franklin Pierce has been ranked for at least one week in the poll during each of the past three years. The Ravens concluded the 2010 campaign fifth in the final poll.

For more information on Franklin Pierce men's lacrosse, please visit the team's page at athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.) To follow the program even further, please visit Franklin Pierce Athletics on YouTube (www.youtube.com/FranklinPierceSports), Twitter (www.twitter.com/FPUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens).