Erik Kelly throws in team-high two goals for the Ravens

RINDGE, N.H. (April 3, 2013) -- The Franklin Pierce University men's lacrosse team fell into an early hole against No. 4 nationally ranked Merrimack on Wednesday and couldn't climb out in dropping a 17-4 decision at Sodexo Field in Rindge. The Ravens had their two-game winning streak snapped in falling to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in the Northeast-10, while the Warriors won their fifth straight to improve to 5-1 and 4-0 in league play.

Merrimack bridged the first and second quarters by scoring the opening eight goals to stake their claim in the contest.

Franklin Pierce scored a pair of late goals in the first half, but it was the only charge the Ravens could muster. Sophomore midfielder Erik Kelly (Tewksbury, Mass.) notched his first of two tallies with a man-up goal with 3:03 left until halftime, and a little under 90 seconds later junior defender Cody Kelley (Manchester, N.H.) ran the length of the field and fired in the first goal of his career.

Warriors attackman Greg Melaugh netted a game-high six goals, including three in the opening surge of the game. He also pumped in a pair in the opening minutes of the third quarter as Merrimack continued to pad its lead.

Sophomore attackman Kevin Dargin (Littleton, Mass.) and Kelly each threw in a marker during the third. Dargin's goal was his 15th of the season and he also added an assist to reach the 20-point plateau, which is tops on the team. Kelly's two markers gave him 12 for the year, which is tied for the second highest total on the squad.

After Kelly's tally with 9:09 remaining in the third cut the deficit to 10-4, Merrimack reeled off the final seven goals of the game to seal the win.

Merrimack rang up an impressive 55-25 advantage in shots, including putting 40 of those on goal. A pair of Warriors logged double-figure shots, including Melaugh with 12 and Corey Lunney with 10. Lunney finished the game with four points on three goals and an assist. Jamie Shand also added five points for Merrimack with a hat-trick and a pair of helpers.

Franklin Pierce sophomore goalie Don Denman (Exeter, N.H.) saw extensive fire in goal, but stood strong by making a career-high 23 saves. It marked the fifth time this season Denman made double-digit saves and it was the second time in the last four contests he stopped at least 20 shots. Denmen fell to 3-4 with the loss.

Merrimack goalie Connor Reagan started and played the first three quarters and made five saves to earn the win.

The Warriors held a 17-5 advantage in face-offs, while also posting a perfect 13-for-13 mark in clears. Merrimack did a good job thwarting the Ravens and their advancements by limiting Franklin Pierce to just a 13-for-23 clip in clears.

Franklin Pierce returns to action Saturday when the Ravens play host to Saint Anselm at 11 a.m. in Sodexo Field in Rindge.

For more information on Franklin Pierce men's lacrosse, please visit the team's page at athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.) To follow the program even further, please visit Franklin Pierce Athletics on YouTube (www.youtube.com/FranklinPierceSports), Twitter (www.twitter.com/FPUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce men's lacrosse apparel can do so on the athletic department's online store at athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store(.)