Men’s Lacrosse Downed in Season Opener, Falls to Post, 15-11

RINDGE, N.H (March 5, 2016) -- The Franklin Pierce University Men's lacrosse team opened their season at home on Sodexo Field on Saturday afternoon, in a non-conference contest with Post University. The Ravens kept the game tight until late in the second half, when the Eagles pushed past for the win, 15-11.

Franklin Pierce opens its season with a record of 0-1, while Post advances 1-0.

The Ravens started the game with two back-to-back goals, as junior midfielder Nick Bradshaw (Westbury, N.Y.) and senior midfielder Brendan Caldeira (Sandwich, Mass.) put in the goals for an early 2-0 lead.

Post would fire back with two goals to tie the game, with senior midfielder Colby Treat providing the equalizer at the 5:20 mark of the first quarter. Treat would also get the final goal of the quarter to again tie the game, 4-4, going into the second.

Sophomore attack Jack Carney (Dunbarton, N.H.) received the ball off a Post turnover to put the Ravens up by one early in the second quarter, while Caldeira provided the assist.

The Eagles were able to keep it a tight game, answering every Raven goal. Junior attack Paul Hyland struck to tie the game for Post going into halftime, 6-6.

Sophomore midfielder Sean Delea (Hampstead, N.H.) started the third quarter with a 20-yard shot from the right side for a goal, assisted by Caldeira, to make it 7-7. Freshman midfielder Jake Castorf (Holbrook, N.Y.) scored the eighth Raven goal, unassisted, to push them ahead 8-7 with 10 minutes left in the third.

Franklin Pierce would then allow four unanswered Post goals, before Delea would be able to break into the scoring with 7:45 left in the fourth, cutting the gap to 12-9.

Late efforts by sophomore defender Dylan Leone (Tewksbury, Mass.), who took a face-off win down the field for a goal, and Castorf were not enough for Franklin Pierce. The Ravens could not cut into the deficit and fell to the Eagles, 15-11.

The Ravens were led by Castorf with four goals and an assist for five points in his first collegiate game. Delea and Carney added two scores each. Sophomore midfielder Louis Palumbo (Commack, N.Y.) collected five ground balls, as did sophomore midfielder Brad Chapdelaine (Fitchburg, Mass.). Both teams totaled 44 shot attempts and each won 14 face-offs.

Junior goalkeeper Nick Burgio (Hillsboro, N.H.) saved 13 shots and fell to 0-1 in front of the Franklin Pierce goal.

The Eagles were led by Treat with four goals and junior midfielder Alsharif Blackman with three goals and an assist. Treat was one of three Post players to collect four ground balls on the day.

Post senior goalkeeper Rob Rohan made 14 saves to win and improve to 1-0.

Ravens play on the road next at Saint Michael's on March 12 at 1 p.m.

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 lacrosse apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).