Release by Director of Athletic Communications Luke Tracy 

RINDGE, NH (3/2/2024) – The Franklin Pierce University men's lacrosse team improved to 3-0 Saturday afternoon in a 13-8 victory over the Cougars of Caldwell University.

Score: Franklin Pierce 13, Caldwell 8
Records: Franklin Pierce 3-0(0-0, NE10), Caldwell 0-2(0-0, CACC)
Location: Sodexo Field, Franklin Pierce University, Rindge, New Hampshire           
Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Ravens came out of the gate firing with five unanswered goals in the first quarter. Senior attackman Conor Rooney (Wilmington, MA) led the way for the team with two goals. Senior midfielder Ethan Cote (North Smithfield, RI) , sophomore attackman Alex Costa (Billerica, MA) and freshman attackman Everett Hillman (Newington, CT)  chipped in a goal each. On the other end of the field, the Ravens' defensive unit locked down the Cougars only allowing six shots. Two of the shots were on cage but junior goalie Mike Masterpolo (Kingston, MA) had them covered. Closing out the first quarter, the Ravens held a 5-0 lead.
• In the second quarter, Caldwell's offense finally got on the board after Owen Tarnowski buried a man-up goal. FPU senior midfielder Connor McCormack (Hampstead, NH)  responded three minutes later with the Ravens' sixth goal of the game. Caldwell was able to grab two unanswered goals to make it a 6-3 game, but the second quarter wrapped up with two back to back unassisted goals from senior midfielder Jaxon Underhill (Calabasas, CA) which gave the Ravens the 8-3 lead.
• Following halftime, both teams struggled to find the back of the net but Costa and Hillman dumped in a goal each marking the only two goals of the quarter.
•  The Ravens and Cougars battled it out in the fourth quarter which saw a combined eight goals. The Cougars scored first which was followed up with a man up goal from senior midfielder Jackson Hale (Kensington, NH). Again, the Cougars dumped in another goal but the Ravens responded with a goal from senior midfielder Dan Cohen (Canton, MA). Two minutes later sophomore midfielder Jackson Philion (Charlton, MA) grabbed the Ravens' final goal of the game to make it 13-5. In the final five minutes, Caldwell hung three unanswered goals but it wasn't enough to mount the comeback as the Ravens secured the 13-8 victory.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:

Points Leader: Freshman Everett Hillman led the Ravens in Saturday's game with five total points off two goals and three assists.

Shots:

• Franklin Pierce: 31  
• Caldwell: 38

Saves:

• Franklin Pierce: Mike Masterpolo – 8 Saves on 16 Shots
• Caldwell: Shane Murphy – 14 Saves on 27 Shots

Ground Balls:

• Franklin Pierce: 51
• Caldwell: 26

Face Offs:

• Franklin Pierce: Nick Cattabriga (Centerville, MA) – 13-24
• Caldwell: Valentin Soltys – 11-24

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens hit the road on Tuesday, March 5 to take on the Hawks of Saint Anselm College for the teams' first in-conference game of the season. Opening faceoff is set for 4 PM.