Franklin Pierce Earns First Victory Of Season Over American International, 18-5
Ravens match program's single-game goal record, 
led by season-best six goals from Ferreira

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (April 20, 2006) – The Franklin Pierce Men’s Lacrosse team earned its first victory of the season, defeating American International College 18-5 in Northeast-10 Conference action this afternoon at John Homer Field. 

Franklin Pierce, which matched the program record for goals in a match set on two previous occasions, netted 14 first half goals before added four markers in the second half to clinch the win. The Ravens last scored 18 goals in an 18-3 victory over Daniel Webster College on April 12, 2004, after setting the record with 18 markers in an 18-10 triumph over AIC on April 24, 2003.  

Franklin Pierce sophomore Luke Ferreira (Farmington, Maine/Mt. Blue) led all scorers, posting six points on a season-high six goals. Junior Michael Willis (Hingham, Mass./Hingham) and freshman Ryan Boller (New Cannan, Conn./New Cannan) were also solid for the Ravens. Willis notched five goals in the game while Boller tallied six points, on three goals and three assists.

 Senior Nick Cowden (Marblehead, Mass./Marblehead) registered three points to aid the Ravens offense, scoring two goals and adding one assist, while freshman Kyle Kruse (Bourne, Mass./Bourne) and sophomore Rob Frankel (East Setauket, Mass./Ward Melville) each chipped in with one goal apiece.

 American International received solid offensive production from junior Ryan Robin (Prince Albert, Sask./Athol Murray) and Jeff Valdes who each tallied two goals for the Yellow Jackets. Freshman Rich Reichert (Nesconset, N.Y./Saint Anthony's) aided the Yellow Jacket offense with one goal and one assist.

Franklin Pierce opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game, as Ferreira notched his first goal of the game off an assist from sophomore Freeman Scott (Farmington, Maine./Mt. Blue). The Ravens added four more goals in the period to take an early 5-1 advantage heading into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, Franklin Pierce exploded for nine goals and limited American International to just one score to take a commanding 14-1 lead into halftime. Wills registered four of his five goals in the second quarter to lead the Ravens, while Ferreira and Boller each posted two apiece.

Over the final two quarters, Franklin Pierce recorded four goals to secure its first conference victory. Ferreira and Cowden added goals in the third quarter, while Cowden and Frankel posted scores for the Ravens in the final frame.

 Franklin Pierce out-shot American International 44-21 and held a 17-8 advantage in face-offs.  Franklin Pierce senior goalkeeper Ben Lek (Gaithersburg, Md./Col. Zadok Magruder) posted four saves to earn his first victory of the season. American International goalkeeper junior Luke Legendre (Uxbridge, Mass./Uxbridge) posted 12 saves despite the loss.

 Franklin Pierce (1-10, 1-9 NE-10) will be in action again on May 1^st as it hosts Green Mountain College at 6 p.m. in its final regular season match of the season. American International College (0-9, 0-9 NE-10) will be in action again on Saturday at 1 p.m. as it travels to Southern New Hampshire University for its final regular season match of the season.

GAME STATISTICS 

Franklin Pierce 18, American International 5

American International Scoring:
Goals: Ryan Robin (2); Jeff Valdes (2); Richard Reichert (1)  
Assists: Reichert (1);   

Franklin Pierce Scoring:
Goals: Luke Ferreira (6); Michael Willis (5); Ryan Boller (3); Nick Cowden (2); Kyle Kruse (1); Rob Frankel (1);
Assists: Boller (3); Conor McCullough (3); Cowden (1); Jason Flanigan (1); Freeman Scott (1)  

Goaltending:
FPC: Ben Lek (60:00) four saves (win)
AIC: Luke Legendre (60:00) 12 saves (loss)