LANCASTER, Pa. – Seniors Blake Hargest and Sarah Veneski each rolled up seven points as Franklin & Marshall began their NCAA title defense with a 16-4 win over Brockport State. After falling behind early, the Diplomats reeled off a dozen consecutive goals to secure the win.

Melissa Hill started the scoring at the 59 second mark, giving Brockport (13-4) the early jump, but F&M (15-3) found the equalizer when Sarah Veneski fed an Erin Dunne quick stick. The assist was the first of six on the afternoon for Veneski. Brockport reclaimed the lead 1:01 later when Dayna Piriano beat a Diplomat defender on a one-on-one on the right side. The goal at 26:10 was Brockport's last before the Diplomats' defense went on lockdown for 36:08.

In the stretch in between, F&M scored 12 times with Veneski accounting for five assists in the stretch. Hargest registered a hat trick and two assists in the run. She assisted F&M's final pair midway through the second half. Laura Ruppersperger initiated the decisive run with a free position goal at 24:55. She finished the game with three goals and an assist.

F&M fired 28 shots to the Golden Eagles' 10. Jamie Kaminsky recorded four saves for Brockport. At the other end, Lidia Sanza denied six Brockport advances. The Diplomats' run coincided with an oppressive ride that limited Brockport State to six successful clears in 11 attempts. F&M forced 10 of BSU's 16 turnovers. Eight different players caused turnovers with attackers Meredith Lussier and Erin Dunne each accounting for a pair.

Dunne put up a hat trick for F&M, while Lussier added a pair.

The Diplomats will face the winner of the Mary Washington / Elizabethtown regional semifinal tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.

Brockport State (13-4) vs. Franklin & Marshall (15-3)

SCORE BY PERIOD       1  2  Tot

Brockport State.....  2  2 -  4

Franklin & Marshall.  9  7 - 16

Brockport State SCORING: GOALS: Melissa Hill 1; Kaila Maguire 1; Karen Bianchi 1; Dayna Piraino 1.

ASSISTS: Sarah Brown 2.

Franklin & Marshall SCORING: GOALS: Blake Hargest 3; Laura Ruppersberger 3; Erin Dunne 3; Meredith Lussier 2; Lauren Selawski 2; Sarah Veneski 1; Mary McNutt 1; Katie Delaney 1.

ASSISTS: Sarah Veneski 6; Blake Hargest 4; Laura Ruppersberger 1.

Brockport State GROUND BALLS: Melissa Hill 2; Ally Schuber 2; Karen Bianchi 1; Jamie Kaminsky 1; Kaila Maguire 1; Amanda Massmann 1; Brittney Rowe 1.

Franklin & Marshall GROUND BALLS: Meredith Lussier 3; Lidia Sanza 3; Maggie Mae Shields 2; Cat Serpe 2; Meghan Cohen 1; Paulette Cutruzzula 1; Katie Delaney 1; Casey Downie 1; Erin Dunne 1.

Brockport State TURNOVERS CAUSED: Karen Bianchi 1; Jamie Kaminsky 1; Bridget Mulvena 1; Melissa Rosintoski 1; Ally Schuber 1.  Franklin & Marshall TURNOVERS CAUSED: Erin Dunne 2; Meredith Lussier 2; Paulette Cutruzzula 1; Maggie Mae Shields 1; Mary McNutt 1; Lidia Sanza 1; Cat Serpe 1; Margaret Shanley 1.

SHOTS - Brockport State 10; Franklin & Marshall 28.

SHOTS ON GOAL - Brockport State 10; Franklin & Marshall 20.

TURNOVERS - Brockport State 16; Franklin & Marshall 11.

FACEOFFS - Brockport State 0-0; Franklin & Marshall 0-0.

CLEARS - Brockport State 6-11; Franklin & Marshall 14-16.

GOALIES - BROCKWMN: Jamie Kaminsky 13-4 (60:00 minutes, 20 shots-4 saves, 16 GA); F&M: Lidia Sanza 15-3 (54:03, 9-6, 3) , Courtney Victor (05:57, 1-0, 1).

Start time: 1:30 pm   Finish time: 3:03 pm   Length of game: 1:33

Officials: Nancy Coffman; Jennifer O'Donnell; Patti Cleary; Alt/Table; Mary Jane Anderson. Scorer: F&M Sports Info.

A-925 T-1:33