RINDGE, N.H. (May 3, 2018) – The no. 8 regionally-ranked Franklin Pierce University men's golf team is about to make their third overall and second straight appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament East/Atlantic Regional next Monday morning at The Resort at Glade Springs located in Daniels, W.Va.

Last year, FPU placed 16th in the 20 team field bettering their 20th place performance during their first-ever trip to the Division II Regionals in 2012. The Ravens concluded the three rounds at 925 (+61) while battling through tough conditions over the course of the week. Sam Myers (Colchester, Vt.) was the Crimson and Grey's best golfer turning in a 223 (+7) scorecard which put him in a tie for seventh place overall on the individual leaderboard.

SCOUTING THE RAVENS

This season, Pierce captured four top-three finishes including a tournament victory in the fall season at the Saint Rose Fall Shootout (588, +20) and a second-place showing at the 83rd annual New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championship (605, +29). In the Northeast-10 Conference Championship, FPU was tied for third place following the opening 18 holes but dropped to sixth place on day two (608, +48). Three other conference programs will join the Ravens in West Virginia, East Region top-seeded Southern New Hampshire University, no. 2 Le Moyne College, no. 7 and conference champion Bentley University.

HOW THE RAVENS LINEUP

Franklin Pierce will head to West Virginia with the following five-golfer lineup. Four of the five golfers who competed in the Regionals last year will make a return trip to The Resort at Glade Springs, par 72, 7,114-yard Cobb Course.

1. Keeton Foster (Spofford, N.H.) – Tee Times: 5/7: 10th Tee, 8:10 a.m., 5/8: 1st Tee, 12:40 p.m.

Foster, an All-NE10 Second Team choice last year will golf from the number one spot. This season he tallied three top-10 finishes including two runner-ups at the season-opening FPU Fall Invitational (147, +3) and the Saint Rose Fall Shootout (145, +3). Foster added two 11th place performances while also chipping in a tie for 12th and 13th. The sophomore's best round of the campaign came during the second day of the FPU Fall Invitational when he shot a 71 (-1).

2. Sam Myers (Colchester, Vt.) – Tee Times: 5/7: 10th Tee, 8:00 a.m., 5/8: 1st Tee, 12:30 p.m.

Myers was a one-time NE10 Golfer of the Week during the fall season. He earned that honor by taking home first place at the Saint Rose Fall Shootout after dumping in a 144 (+2) total. The win at Saint Rose was Myers only top-three finish this year as his 70 (-1) round one scorecard was his lowest of the season. Just a few weeks ago, Myers tied for eighth place at the Penmen Spring Invitational (149, +5).

3. Dylan Plis (Camillus, N.Y.) – Tee Times: 5/7: 10th Tee, 7:50 a.m., 5/8: 1st Tee, 12:20 p.m.

Plis was a three-time NE10 Rookie of the Week and notched All-New England Honors by placing second (144, E) at the 83rd Annual NEIGA Championship. Plis shot a consistent 72 both rounds as the freshman tallied his only top-two finish of the season. He recorded two other top-10 performances this season in the fall at the FPU Fall Invitational (T4th, 149, +5) and the Saint Rose Fall Shootout (T9th, 149, +7). Plis shot a season-low 70 (+1) during the opening round of the Penmen Fall Invitational.

4. Liam Donohue (Vernon, Conn.) – Tee Times: 5/7 10th Tee, 7:40 a.m., 5/8: 1st Tee, 12:10 p.m.

Donohue had one of his best collegiate performances in the final tune-up before Regional play. A few weeks ago at the Penmen Spring Invitational, Donohue tied for second place at 143 (-1). He was even (72) through his first 18 holes, but shot a season-best one under par (71) over his final holes. Donohue also finished in a tie for 12th at the FPU Fall Invitational (152, +9) and a tie for 13th at the Dr. Edwin B. Cottrell Invitational (154, +14).  

5. Taylor Simpson (Londonderry, N.H.) – Tee Times: 5/7: 10th Tee, 7:30 a.m., 5/8: 1st Tee, 12:00 p.m.

Simpson makes the trip to Daniels for the second straight year after appearing in only four tournaments this season with three coming in the fall. At the 83rd Annual NEIGA Championship, Simpson finished 20th at 155 (+11). At the Penmen Spring Invitational, the senior tied for 21st (155, +11) after putting home a season-low 75 (+3) final round score.

HEADING TO THE TOURNAMENT?

If you are planning on heading to the Regionals here are some useful links…

THE RESORT AT GLADE SPRINGS | COBB COURSE | COBB COURSE SCORECARD | DANIELS, W.VA. WEATHER

HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG?

Can't make it to West Virginia? The Mountain East Conference has you covered with a tournament page.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The top three teams and the top two individuals not with a team from each regional (regardless of region) will advance to the NCAA Championship from May 21st-25th at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the Shoals, Fighting Joe Course in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The remaining eight-team berths will be allocated based on the regions represented in the prior year's head-to-head medal play portion of the championships, with the maximum number of teams from a given region capped at seven.

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 golf apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store). You can also follow the golf programs on Twitter (https://twitter.com/FPU_GOLF).