Men’s Soccer Ranked No. 16 Nationally In NSCAA/adidas Preseason Rankings

Ravens to host No. 2 Dowling in season-opener on Aug. 27

NSCAA/adidas National Preseason Rankings

RINDGE, N.H. (August 17, 2009) – The Franklin Pierce University men’s soccer team is ranked No. 16 nationally in the preseason edition of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas National Rankings, as announced by the NSCAA.

The Ravens completed the 2008 campaign in the No. 16 position as well on the strength of a 13-8-2 campaign which concluded with the program’s sixth consecutive NCAA Championship appearance, as well as the 14th NCAA berth in program annals.

Defending national champion, California State, Dominguez Hills, opens the season in the No. 1 position, while defending East Region champion and 2008 national runner-up Dowling occupies the No. 2 position. Tampa, Northern Kentucky and Midwestern State round out the preseason top-five.

Fellow Northeast-10 Conference members Massachusetts Lowell and Southern New Hampshire will open the season ranked eighth and 11th, respectively.

Franklin Pierce opens the 2009 season on Thursday, Aug. 27, when it plays host to No. 2 Dowling. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Sodexo Field in Rindge. The Ravens will then entertain C.W. Post at 1 p.m. on Aug. 29, before hosting the Franklin Pierce Labor Day Classic on Sept. 4 and 6.