Recap by student-staff writer Colin Struckman

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (3/26/25)  – The Franklin Pierce men's lacrosse team snapped a 3-game losing streak and picked up their 2nd win of the season on Wednesday night over the AIC Yellow Jackets. They used a well-rounded effort combined with a strong showing from senior goalkeeper Michael Masterpolo (Kingston, Mass.) who made an impressive 17 saves in net. The win also marked their first NE-10 conference win of the season.

Score: Franklin Pierce 13, AIC 8

Records: Franklin Pierce (2-6, 1-3 NE-10), AIC (2-7, 0-4 NE-10)

Location: Abdow Field, Springfield, MA

Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Yellow Jackets got the scoring started in the first quarter as Cole Gaudet found the back of the net to go up 1-0. The Ravens fired back however as sophomore attackmen Everett Hillman (Newington, Conn.) tied the score 1-1. The Yellow Jackets ended the first quarter in their favor with Jordan Boyenko scoring on the man up to give them the 2-1 lead after the first frame.
• The start of the second quarter didn't treat the Ravens kindly. Jordan Boyenko scored his second consecutive goal for the Yellow Jackets and Cole Gaudet snuck one in the back of the cage to put them up 4-1.
• The Ravens were in dire need of a spark to ignite a comeback. That spark came from senior midfielder Jackson Hale (Kensington, N.H.) when he drove straight to the net and finished a pass from redshirt freshman attackmen Caleb White (Hampton, N.H.), cutting the deficit to 4-2. The Ravens utilized the momentum from Jackson Hale's goal as they capitalized on the man up shortly after. Freshman attackmen Michael Lawler (Wilmington, Mass.) dished a pass to junior midfielder Jackson Philion (Charlton, Mass) who lasered a shot into the top right corner, the Ravens trailed 4-3.
• Despite the Yellow Jackets going up 5-3, the Ravens closed out the second quarter with a dominant surge, scoring 4 unanswered goals. It started with back-to-back goals from Michael Lawler to tie the game 5-5. Then, they took their first lead of the game. Freshman attackmen Aidan Gibbons (Billerica, Mass.) dropped it off for Caleb White who tucked in a shot to make it 6-5. Then, Jackson Philion added his second goal of the game on the man up to give the Ravens the 7-5 lead at the halftime break.
• The momentum from the strong second half finish carried over into the 3rd quarter for the Ravens. Caleb White added his second tally of the night to put them up 8-5. The Yellow Jackets countered with a goal from Jordan Boyenko, but the Ravens scored 3 consecutive goals courtesy of Caleb White, Aidan Gibbons, and Jackson Hale to go up 11-6, their largest lead of the game thus far. Jordan Boyenko and Caleb White each added another goal to close out a crazy third quarter, giving the Ravens the 12-7 lead heading into the final quarter.
• The Ravens hit cruise control for the fourth quarter, allowing just one goal and Aidan Gibbons scoring his second of the game to solidify the 13-8 road victory.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:

• The Ravens outshot the Yellow Jackets 41-39.
• The Ravens went 2-4 on the man up, the Yellow Jackets went 2-7.
• The Ravens won 10 face-offs compared to 15 from the Yellow Jackets.
• The Ravens committed 17 turnovers; the Yellow Jackets committed 19.
• The Ravens won 41 ground balls compared to 31 from the Yellow Jackets.
• Ravens goalkeeper Michael Masterpolo earned the win in net, recording a remarkable 17 saves.

NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens have another road battle next Wednesday as they'll travel to Worcester to square off against the Assumption Greyhounds. Face-off is at 7 p.m.