Box Score Video
LANCASTER, Pa. – Freshman Chris Scott wasted little time making an impression at the collegiate level as he notched a goal and an assist to lead the Franklin & Marshall men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over 16th-ranked Medaille in the opening game of the annual Scrapyard Classic at Tylus Field. The Diplomats are now 1-0 on the year, while the Mavericks fall to 0-1.
Scott put F&M on the board first in the 29th minute on a well-executed corner kick by the Diplomats. Junior Alex Grassi played the ball into the near post where Scott was waiting about 10 yards from goal and sent a header to the far corner of the net and the Diplomats were on top, 1-0.
F&M maintained its one-goal cushion until the 63rd minute, when Maverick senior David Pihliblad evened the count at one apiece. Pihliblad ran onto a through-ball from junior Kevin Dillon near the edge of the right side of the box and took advantage of an opening in the F&M defense as he drilled a shot into the upper corner of the near post.
The Diplomats would answer back in the 85th minute, with Scott this time on the other end of an F&M score. Scott sent a long diagonal cross from the F&M defensive side of midfield into the edge of the box, where sophomore Ben Beaver sped past his defender and touched it past Medaille junior goalkeeper Nick Kurtz for the game-winner.
Junior goalkeeper Zach Fernberger, making his first career start, put together an impressive performance between the pipes for F&M. Fernberger recorded three saves on the day, none bigger than a sprawling save to his left in the final seconds on a last-ditch attempt off a corner kick to preserve the win.
The Diplomats outshot the Mavericks, 15-8, and also held the edge in corner kicks, 7-4.
F&M will face off against Stevenson at 7:00 pm on Saturday, September 3 to conclude the Scrapyard Classic. Eastern and Medaille will meet at 4:30 pm in Saturday's other contest.
Medaille (0-1) vs. Franklin & Marshall (1-0)
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Medaille............ 0 1 - 1
Franklin & Marshall. 1 1 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 28:45 F&M Chris Scott (1) (Alex Grassi) - header off corner kick to far post from 12 yards out
2. 62:36 MEDM Pihlblad David (1) (Dhillon Kevin) - drilled to high near post off through ball on right side
3. 84:40 F&M Ben Beaver (1) (Chris Scott)
Shots: Medaille 8, Franklin & Marshall 15
Saves: Medaille 3 (Kurtz Nick 3), Franklin & Marshall 3 (Zach Fernberger 3)
