Men's lacrosse overcomes early deficit to defeat Franklin Pierce

RINDGE, New Hampshire - Down 5-1 early in the second quarter, the American International College men's lacrosse team outscored Franklin Pierce University 7-1 over the final 42:31 of play to earn an 8-6 Northeast-10 Conference win on Tuesday, April 2.

AIC is now 5-6 on the season and 1-4 in the NE10. 

Connor Rooney was an offensive force for the Ravens in the first frame; after he set up the opening goal, he scored twice in a 51-second span. Micaiah Boyle notched AIC's lone goal in the first.

The Ravens added two more in the first 1:12 of the second quarter, before AIC's comeback efforts began with Devon Walker firing a pass right to left to Callan Dent for a goal at 2:29. Boyle then found Seven Gillingham open at 5:02, pushing AIC to within 5-3 before the halftime break.

Franklin Pierce scored the first goal of the third quarter, but AIC countered while man-down, with Boyle sending Carter Linkletter in for a snipe at 6:47. AIC trailed 6-4 heading to the fourth.

AIC had the momentum, and quickly tied the game in the fourth. On the man-up, Gillingham found Long open for a goal, and then on the ensuing faceoff, Linkletter won a ground ball battle and dished back to Aiden Moscarello, who hit the net 2:08 into the period to make it 6-6.

Both teams had key opportunities with an extra man in the following minutes, but it was AIC that took advantage. Long facilitated this time, finding Andrew Boyer at the left side of the cage for the go-ahead goal with 7:10 to play.

It was a lead AIC did not relinquish. The defense kept the Ravens away from the net, and Hunter Terlik added insurance with AIC's eighth goal of the game at 12:34, sealing the win.

Logan Dobrowski earned the win with seven second-half saves to improve to 2-0 on the season. Ries Bower forced six turnovers to total 43 on the season, breaking a tie with Brianna O'Brien, who had 37 in 2019, for the most in a season by any AIC lacrosse player, and moved into fourth in NE10 history, 11 behind the record.

The win set a new program record for victories in a season.

AIC will try to make it two in a row at home on Tuesday, April 9 against Saint Anselm College at 7:00 p.m.