RINDGE, N.H. (March 24, 2015) – Keeping nationally ranked number three Merrimack University scoreless in the second quarter, the Franklin Pierce University men's Lacrosse team had the game tied 4-4 by the end of the quarter. The momentum was not enough to squash the Warriors' late third quarter rally to take the 15-10 victory in Northeast-10 Conference play. Senior goalkeeper Don Denman (Exeter, N.H.) had 22 saves out of 37 shots for a standout performance at Sodexo Field on Tuesday afternoon.

With the loss, the Ravens drop to 5-2 on the season,2-2 in NE-10 play, while Merrimack remains undefeated in NE-10 play, 5-0, and 6-0 overall. 

The Warriors took the 2-0 advantage by 8:50 in the first period. Junior Casey Burnett (Windham, N.H.) brought the game within one goal, however Merrimack answered back with a pair of goals to increase their advantage 4-1. With just under three minutes in the first quarter, senior Erik Kelly (Tewksbury, Mass.) would score to end the half 4-2.

The Ravens turned it up in the second quarter, denying Merrimack a chance to answer two Raven goals. Freshman Jack Carney (Dunbarton, N.H.) from junior Brendan Calderia (Sandwich, Mass.) sparked the offense.  Calderia would tie the game up with his first goal of the game from senior Eddie Noonan (Foxboro, Mass.). The quarter would end 4-4.

Although Merrimack started the third quarter strong, Franklin Pierce kept the Warrior advantage to two goals or less.  Sophomore Max Allen would score two goals within a minute of each other to start the Merrimack pull away at 4:49.  Kelly would score a goal assisted by Burnett and freshman Ben Lassow (Mansfied, Conn.)  would post an unassisted goal to end the quarter 13-6.

Burnett started the fourth quarter off with an unassisted goal, but Merrimack would answer back with two goals, 15-7. The Ravens remained hungry and continued to fight back with Noonan scoring a pair of goals, one unassisted and his final assisted by Kelly, and freshman Louis Palumbo (Commack, N.Y.) also scored a goal in the fourth quarter to end the game 15-10.

Louis Palumbo led the defense grabbing five ground balls and netting a goal, followed by junior Dylan Leone (Tewksbury, Mass.) who grabbed four. Casey Burnett and Erik Kelly each scored a pair of goals while assisting in one each, while Eddie Noonan posted two goals and assisted in two others. Don Denman took the loss (5-2) stopping 22 out of 37 shots in his 60:00 minutes of play.

Junior Tim Towler led the game with four goals, while Max Allen posted two. Junior Scott Corcoran led the defense grabbing 8 ground balls. Sophomore goalkeeper Dom Madonna took the win (6-0) in cage for the Warriors stopping six out of 12 shots in his 39:27 minutes of play and Senior Morgan Green stopped six out of 10 in his 20:33 minutes of play.

The Ravens travel to Pace on Saturday, March 28, for a 12:00 p.m. Northeast-10 Conference contest.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce men's lacrosse apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).