Worcester, Mass. (March 21) -- On Saturday afternoon, the Assumption College men's lacrosse team dropped a 9-6 final to Franklin Pierce University in Northeast-10 Conference play at the Multi-Sport Stadium.

The Ravens jumped out to the 1-0 lead just 21 seconds into the game on an unassisted goal by Jack Carney, followed by an unassisted tally from Erik Kelly for the early 2-0 edge. Senior Garrett Smith (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse Minoa) got the Hounds on the board with 11:03 left in the first, cutting the lead in half at 2-1. Junior Cameron Murphy (Walpole, Mass./Xaverian) tied the game at 2-2 off an assist from freshman Conor Darby (Haverhill, Mass./Proctor Academy), but the Ravens eventually regained the lead at 4-2 with 6:25 remaining in the first. Senior Paul Curran (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River) tallied the last goal of the first quarter, his ninth of the season, to send the game into the second at just 4-3 in favor of the visitors.

In the second, it was all Ravens as FPU outscored Assumption 3-0 in the period and took the 7-3 edge into the break. Casey Burnett was the top scorer in the period for Franklin Pierce, scoring twice in the final 28 seconds as he finished with four goals in the game.

Senior Tim Casey (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) accounted for the lone goal in the third with his third goal of the season, followed by goals from Curran and freshman Blaine Birch (Brielle, N.J./Manasquan) to open the fourth and close the gap to just 7-6. Curran's goal was assisted on by Smith, while Birch's goal was his first collegiate tally. The Ravens closed the game with two goals by Burnett though to seal the win by the eventual 9-6 final.

For the game, the Hounds outshot the Ravens 33-29 for the game and forced 16 FPU turnovers while holding a 13-6 advantage in faceoffs. The Hounds were also a perfect 17-for-17 in clear attempts in the game.

Curran led the Hounds with two goals, while Burnett had four goals and one assist for the Ravens.

Senior Will Contento (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield) made seven saves in the loss, while Don Denman had 13 stops for the win.

Assumption dropped to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in Northeast-10 play, while Franklin Pierce improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the league.

The Hounds are back in action on Tuesday, March 24th as the team travels to Southern New Hampshire for a 7 p.m. start in Manchester, N.H.

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