ELIZABETHTOWN, PA - Elizabethtown's Steve Petrosky put in a rebound off the hands of Franklin & Marshall goalie Ed Stelz (So., Kew Gardens, NY/Loomis Chaffee) 12:37 into the first half as the Blue Jays escaped with a 1-0 victory over the Diplomats to retain the annual Smith-Herr Boot trophy.

The goal was eerily reminiscent of last season's deciding score in which Casey Moore finished a rebound off the hands of Stelz in overtime at the 94:13 mark following a shot and save by Stelz on a scoring drive by Bryan Noll.

Overall, the Diplomats got the better of play from whistle to horn as the Diplomats outshot the Blue Jays 8-7 and had a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks.

The hero of the game for Elizabethtown was goalie Edwin Tichenor who made three saves and stopped numerous crossing passes in front of the goal to keep his team in the game. For Franklin & Marshall, Stelz finished with three saves to spark his team on the defensive end of the field.

In the second half, Elizabethtown was pinned to their end of the field for much of the frame, as the Blue Jays could not advance the ball on Franklin & Marshall's defense. However, the Jays defense held as Elizabethtown retains possession of the Smith-Herr Boot, the trophy for which both teams play as the rivalry has become one of the best in Division III soccer.

Elizabethtown regained the "Boot" in 2002 with a 3-1 victory at home as the Diplomats knocked off the Blue Jays 2-1 in Lancaster during the 2001 season. Further, F&M's win against Elizabethtown marked the first in men's soccer since 1986. In addition, the Diplomats reclaimed the Smith-Herr Bronze Boot that year for the first time since 1988 when the two teams played to a 2-2 tie.

Established in 1978, the trophy is to memorialize the memories of former F&M coach Robert Smith and longtime Elizabethtown Athletic Director Ira Herr. The Bronze Boot is a bronzed soccer shoe originally worn by Al Hershey, who played for the Jays and later coached at Franklin & Marshall.

Franklin & Marshall College (0-1, 0-0 CC) will return to action on September 8 in the team's home opener versus the University of Scranton. Game time is set for 4:30 pm.

Franklin & Marshall (0-1, 0-0 CC) 0-0-- 0
Elizabethtown (1-1, 0-0 MAC) 1-0-- 1

Goals: EC - Steve Petrosky (unassisted) 32:12

Goalie Saves: F&M - Ed Stelz, 3 (90 minutes)
EC - Edwin Tichenor, 3 (90 minutes)

Shots: F&M 8, EC 7

Corner Kicks: F&M 6, EC 4

Fouls: F&M 14, EC 14

Offsides: F&M 1, EC 2