Recap by student-staff writer Colin Struckman

HOOKSETT, N.H. (4/9/25) – The Franklin Pierce Ravens men's lacrosse team battled against their inter-state rival Southern New Hampshire Penmen on Wednesday night but fell short 9-6 in a tightly contested game in Northeast-10 conference play.

Score: SNHU 9, Franklin Pierce 6

Records: Franklin Pierce (2-8, 1-5 NE-10), SNHU (4-7, 2-4 NE-10)

Location: Mark A. Ouellette Stadium, Hooksett, N.H.

Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Penmen struck first in the opening quarter. Blake Wozniak netted a goal on the man up to give them the 1-0 lead. The Ravens responded with a pair of goals to take their only lead of the game. It started with junior midfielder Jackson Philion (Charlton, Mass.) streaking down the right wing and ripping a shot in the back of the cage. Then, sophomore midfielder Charlie Burmaster (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) scored his 1st goal of the season as he buried a shot into the right corner to give the Ravens the 2-1 lead. The Penmen then countered back with a pair of goals from Aiden Blouin and Joey Gallo to go up 3-2, a lead they held for the end of the 1st quarter.
• The Ravens began the 2nd quarter in a positive way. Senior midfielder Jackson Hale (Kensington, N.H.) evaded several Penmen defenders and finished with a beautiful goal to tie the score 3-3. The Penmen always seemed to have the answer for the Ravens however, they countered with two goals to close out the 2nd quarter and take the 5-3 lead going into the halftime break.
• The Penmen stretched their lead to three to open the 3rd quarter and put them up 6-3. The Ravens got one back to end a quiet 3rd quarter for both teams. Jackson Philion netted his 2nd goal of the night as he whipped a shot into the left corner of the netting, cutting the deficit to 6-4.
• The Ravens couldn't contain the Penmen to begin the 4th quarter. The Penmen ripped 2 quick goals to take an 8-4 lead, their largest of the night. The Ravens wouldn't go down without a fight, however. Jackson Hale scored his 2nd goal of the game as he barreled down the right wing and flipped it in the goal. Then, freshman attackmen Aidan Gibbons (Billerica, Mass.) dished a pass to Jackson Philion, who rocketed a shot into the right side to solidify his hat trick performance. The Penmen closed out the game with a late goal on the man up to earn the 9-6 win over the Ravens.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:

• The Ravens outshot the Penmen 43-34.
• The Ravens went 1-6 on the man up. The Penmen went 2-4.
• The Ravens won 6 face-offs compared to 11 from the Penmen.
• The Ravens committed 12 turnovers compared to 15 from the Penmen.
• The Ravens won 24 ground balls. The Penmen won 15.
• Senior goalkeeper Michael Masterpolo (Kingston, Mass.) suffered the loss in net for the Ravens but made an incredible 12 saves. 

NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens return home next Tuesday (4/15) to battle the Saint Michael's Purple Knights in Northeast-10 conference action. Face-off is at 4 p.m. at Sodexo Field.