Kevin Dargin logs hat-trick to run season goal total to a team-high 21

MANCHESTER, N.H. (April 9, 2013) -- The Franklin Pierce University men's lacrosse team couldn't overcome nine Southern New Hampshire goals in the second quarter and dropped a 14-6 decision to the Penmen at Larkin Field on Tuesday night in Manchester, N.H. The Ravens dipped to 4-5 overall and 3-4 in the Northeast-10, while the Penmen improved to 4-7 and 4-3 in league play.

John Cuozzo, who had a strong all-around game for the Penmen (2g, 2a), scored both of his goals in the second quarter as he opened the scoring in the frame with a marker 44 seconds in and capped the scoring with a tally with just :06 remaining. The explosion allowed SNHU go from a slim 3-2 margin after one quarter to a commanding 12-2 advantage heading into the intermission.

Corey Allen, who pumped in a game-high four goals on six shots on net, scored back-to-back goals just 17 seconds apart in the second to aid SNHU's outburst. Taylor Wharden, who had three markers of his own, followed Allen's back-to-backers with his first goal with 2:37 remaining until halftime. Another goal in the period which was a crusher for the Ravens was Ryan Woodford's man-down tally earlier in the frame.

Despite the eight-goal margin of defeat, the Ravens did produce offense as they held a 39-33 advantage in shots. Sophomore attackman Kevin Dargin (Littleton, Mass.) notched a hat-trick, including scoring twice in the first quarter when the game was tightly contested, to run his team-leading goal total to 21 on the season. His 21 tallies are tied for 10th most in a single season in program history. Dargin is 11 shy of breaking the program record of 31 goals in a campaign, which was set by Jimmy Ward in 2004. He would need to average three goals a game over the final four contests to set the record.

Junior Alex Connolly (West Newbury, Mass.) and freshman Luke McDermott (New Milford, Conn.) each threw in a man-up tally in the fourth quarter as the Ravens tried to chip away at the deficit.

Crosby Nicholson turned aside 14 of 20 shots faced to earn the win for Southern New Hampshire. His counterpart, Franklin Pierce goalie Don Denman (Exeter, N.H.), was tagged with the loss to fall to 4-5. He faced 26 shots and made 12 saves, marking the seventh time in nine games this season he made double-figure saves.

The largin margin of defeat was also a bit surprising considering the Ravens committed just 16 turnovers in the game, werr a solid 16-of-17 in clearing attempts and showed composure by taking just one penalty.

However, the 16 shots and the nine ensuing goals scored in the second quarter were too much to overcome.

Franklin Pierce returns to action Saturday when the Ravens travel to Syracuse, N.Y. to face Le Moyne at 2 p.m.

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). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce men's lacrosse apparel can do so on the athletic department's online store at athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store(.)