In the cyclical nature of college soccer, longevity is often hard to obtain. It's fleeting for most programs, as players come and go, coaches change and administrations have turnover.
But when a team achieves stability, both regionally and nationally, it's a testament to, among other things, mindset, style of play, leadership and talent.
This year's Franklin Pierce men's soccer squad has all those traits, and the Ravens (13-3-2) have made their NCAA tournament return after a two-year absence. It's the program's 19th trip to the big dance, and they'll host Wilmington (Del.) on Saturday in Rindge, N.H., for a second-round game after receiving an at-large bid.