PREVIEW: Granite State Rivals SNHU, Franklin Pierce Tangle in Men's Soccer Wednesday Night

SNHU (2-1, 0-0 Northeast-10)
vs.
Franklin Pierce (1-2, 0-0 Northeast-10)
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - Larkin Field, Manchester, N.H.

THE MATCHUP: The top two teams in the Northeast-10 men's soccer preseason poll battle as Granite State rivals SNHU and Franklin Pierce meet Wednesday night.

THE COACHES: Marc Hubbard is in his sixth season as head coach at SNHU...a 2003 graduate of Colgate who previously served as an assistant at New Hampshire, Hubbard has guided the Penmen to five straight NCAA appearances, the nation's second-longest active streak, and owns a career record of 80-19-13 (.772)...he is the second-winningest active Division II coach as of the start of the 2013 season...Ian Clerihew is in his second season at Franklin Pierce...he guided the Ravens to the NCAA Tournament a season ago...prior to his arrival in Rindge he spent three seasons as head coach at Mars Hill.

THE SERIES: Southern New Hampshire holds a 25-21-6 lead in the all-time series with Franklin Pierce, however, the Ravens are 5-0-1 in the last six meetings, with the last Penmen victory coming in 2009...last season in Rindge FPU posted a 1-0 win on a Le-Shaun Young goal in the 75th minute...Jake Wright had three saves en route to the shutout, while Dom DiMaggio had one save for the Penmen.

THE PENMEN: Southern New Hampshire, the top choice in the Northeast-10 preseason poll, is coming off a 4-0 win over Dominican (N.Y.) last Wednesday...four different players scored in the win, with Brian Francolini notching a goal and an assist...Francolini, Pierre Omanga and Christian Rodriguez have each totaled a goal and an assist to date...Dom DiMaggio has started in all three games in goal and owns a 0.70 goals-against average and .714 save percentage.

THE RAVENS: Franklin Pierce, which was picked second in the NE-10 preseason poll, is coming off a 1-0 loss to No. 12 Post last Wednesday...FPU's victory was a 1-0 triumph over Bridgeport on September 7...Ryan Ruffing and David Stipp have each had goals for the Ravens, with Stipp notching the game-winner against the Purple Knights...Sam Meza has started all three games in goal and owns a 0.94 goals-against average, .800 save percentage and one shutout.

WHAT'S NEXT: Southern New Hampshire hits the road for the first time this season Saturday when it travels to New Haven...the Penmen are back in action at home next Wednesday against Saint Anselm.