For Immediate Release

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October 27, 2011

South Easton, Mass. – Franklin Pierce University is the top-ranked team for the second consecutive week in the East Region Men's Soccer rankings, which were released yesterday. The Ravens are one of three Northeast-10 schools that appear in the regional poll, with Southern New Hampshire University and Bentley University coming in at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell was listed at 10^th in the first edition of the regional poll but did not appear in this week's rankings.

Franklin Pierce (15-0-1, 11-0-1 NE-10) is currently ranked second in the nation, according to the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, which was released on Tuesday. The Ravens' lone blemish came at home October 8 in a 1-1 tie with the University of New Haven, but they won 10 straight games prior to that to begin the season and have won five in a row since. Franklin Pierce has allowed just 10 goals on the season (0.60 per contest).

14^th- ranked nationally So. New Hampshire (14-2, 10-2 NE-10) took the third spot in the poll behind C.W. Post for the second straight week. The Penmen have scored 39 goals and allowed just eight in 16 games, as both of those marks are tops among Northeast-10 teams this season.

So. New Hampshire lost back-to-back contests at home to Merrimack College and Franklin Pierce in mid-September, but has since reeled off 11 straight wins while scoring three or more goals in eight of those 11 victories. They also boast the conference's top goal scorer in junior Chris Tsonis (12) as well as the assist leader in junior Ruben Resendes (8).

Bentley University (9-5-2, 7-4-1 NE-10) is ranked fourth in the poll for the second time in as many weeks. The Falcons have gone just 2-3-1 in their last six contests, including a 4-2 loss at home to Franklin Pierce on Tuesday night. Bentley will wrap up its regular season schedule Friday night against Southern Connecticut State University.

This represents the second of three regional polls, which will be announced prior to the field being selected for the 2011 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship. The third and final poll will be announced next Wednesday, November 2.

For the complete East Region rankings, see below.

The Northeast-10 is an association of 16 NCAA Division II colleges and universities located in New England and New York that is committed to supporting balanced academic and athletic opportunities for more than 5,500 student-athletes. Each year, 4,000 of those student-athletes compete in Conference championships in 23 sports, making the NE-10 the largest DII conference in the country. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the Northeast-10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.

Men's Soccer East Region Rankings – October 26, 2011

1. Franklin Pierce
2. C.W. Post
3. So. New Hampshire
4. Bentley
5. Bridgeport
6. Saint Thomas Aquinas
7. Post
8. NYIT
9. Nyack
10. Wilmington (Del.)

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