NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (October 31, 2017) – The Franklin Pierce University men's soccer team's 2017 campaign concluded on Halloween night with a 2-0 shutout defeat at the hands of no. 18 nationally-ranked Merrimack College in the Northeast-10 Conference quarterfinals.

With the win, the Warriors advance to the Semifinal round on Friday when they host Southern Connecticut State University at 7:00 p.m. on Martone-Mejail Field. The Ravens wrap up their year at 7-7-2 overall.

Both teams combined for 21 shots throughout the contest as the squads could only amass six in the first half. Franklin Pierce was held to only two shots through the opening 45 minutes, which was a season-best during a half of play for the Warrior defensive unit.

Merrimack starting goalkeeper Lucas Rezende moved to 14-2-2 in the victory as he made three saves in his conference-leading 11th shutout win of the campaign. Raven sophomore netminder Jadel Poon-Lewis (Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago) stopped three shots in the defeat.

The Crimson and Grey had an opportunity to draw first blood in the match as Niklas Laudahn (Olfen, Germany) smoked a shot to the high right corner that Rezende leaped and snagged to keep the duel deadlocked at 0-0, 24 minutes in.

After the intermission, Merrimack scored only 28 seconds into the fresh frame as Juan Meza crossed the ball to teammate Lars Sund who tapped the rock off his foot and past Poon-Lewis to push the hosts ahead 1-0. The Warriors upped their lead with an insurance marker from Aasmund Joedahl as he made a fast move by a Raven defender and pelted a low sinking shot into the cage to make the duel 2-0.

Later in the period, the Ravens had numerous chances to come within one, but Rezende stifled the Crimson and Grey constantly to preserve the shutout.

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