RINDGE, N.H. (April 15, 2019) – Deep into the 2019 season, the Franklin Pierce University men's lacrosse program has been ranked fifth in the week eight edition of the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) 2019 Poll announced Monday afternoon.

TO VIEW THE NEILA WEEK EIGHT POLL PLEASE CLICK HERE.

The Ravens have maintained the no. 5 slot for a couple of weeks now due to big wins at home against Saint Michael's College (11-10) and on the road at Southern New Hampshire University (9-2) holding the Penmen to two goals for the first time since 2015. Their tight defense has allowed Pierce to only give up 101 goals against this season, the third-lowest total in the Northeast-10 Conference.

Four other conference programs make up the top-five. Merrimack College comes in first with four first-place votes. Bentley University climbed from fourth to second, Saint Anselm College remained at third and Assumption College dropped down from second to fourth.

Franklin Pierce's offense is led by senior midfielder Jake Castorf (Holbrook, N.Y.) who ranks first on the team in goals (24), assists (13) and points (37).

The squad is back in action tomorrow on the road at no. 11 nationally-ranked and league opponent Pace University for a 3:30 p.m. showdown.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://fpuravens.com). 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' online store (http://fpuravens.com/store). You can also follow the men's lacrosse team on Twitter (https://twitter.com/FPUMLacrosse) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fpumlacrosse).