NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Franklin & Marshall's women's squash team defeated Bowdoin 5-4 in the Walker Cup semifinals at the Howe Cup competition. The win was the Diplomats' 10^th of the season, marking F&M's first foray into double-digits in the wins column since the 1996-1997 season when Patty Epps' team went 11-6.

The number two position proved pivotal in putting the Polar Bears on ice. Chelsea Ross (13-9) bumped up from the three spot last time out to knock off Bowdoin's Elizabeth Warner in four games, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4. Ross' victory was the Diplomats only win in the top half of the lineup.

F&M captured the sixth through ninth positions with sweeps in three of the four matches. Courtney Mulligan (12-8) swept Alexandra Peacock at six, allowing four points in each game. Mulligan's win was the 35^th of her career, making her the 18^th Diplomat to reach 35 wins in her career. She is tied with Misha Grewal '91 for 17^th on the career victories list at F&M.

Stephanie Tzarnas (9-13) swept Louisa Cannell, 11-6, 11-6, 11-3 at eight, while Dana Russo (9-10) toppled Isabel Nassief, 11-6, 16-14, 11-7. Gabby Robinson (9-3) earned her win in four at the seventh spot. After winning the first 11-3, she dropped the second 11-4. Robinson reversed the score in the third then closed it out with an 11-7 fourth.

Laura Gesswein barely escaped the Diplomats' top player in five, Morgan Smith (10-10),10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 10-12, 12-10. That was also the case in the fourth position where Monica Wlodarczyk squeaked past Sheena Suckoo (5-17) 11-9, 7-11, 10-12, 11-7, 12-10.

The victory was F&M's second over Bowdoin this season. The Diplomats had knocked off the Polar Bears 7-2 at the Yale Round Robin. F&M will next face Vassar, also for the second time this season. The Brewers (8-6) defeated the Diplomats 5-4 in a match at Amherst on January 23^rd.  The semifinal match gets underway at 11:30 a.m.

#19 Franklin & Marshall 5, #22 Bowdoin 4
1. Lauren Gesswein (BOWDOIN) def. Morgan Smith (F&M) 10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 10-12, 12-10
2. Chelsea Ross (F&M) def. Elizabeth Warner (BOWDOIN) 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4
3. Elizabeth Schetman (BOWDOIN) def. Katherine Barnes (F&M) 11-13, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5
4. Monica Wlodarczyk (BOWDOIN) def. Sheena Suckoo (F&M) 11-9, 7-11, 10-12, 11-7, 12-10
5. Bonnie Cao (BOWDOIN) def. Tanya Arora (F&M) 9-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7
6. Courtney Mulligan (F&M) def. Alexandra Peacock (BOWDOIN) 11-4, 11-4, 11-4
7. Gabby Robinson (F&M) def. Katie Boyce (BOWDOIN) 11-3, 4-11, 11-4, 11-7
8. Stephanie Tzarnas (F&M) def. Louisa Cannell (BOWDOIN) 11-6, 11-6, 11-3
9. Dana Russo (F&M) def. Katie Woo (BOWDOIN) 11-5, 11-5, 12-10
Exh. Aleka Woods (F&M) def. Isabel Nassief (BOWDOIN) 11-6, 16-14, 11-7

Match Notes
Bowdoin 6-12; National ranking #22
Franklin & Marshall 10-12; National ranking #19
Howe Cup Quarterfinals (Walker Cup Division)
F&M will face Vassar in Semis tomorrow at 11:30 am