LANCASTER, Pa. - No. 5 Franklin & Marshall tallied three second half goals to defeat visiting Muhlenberg 3-1 in Centennial Conference (CC) field hockey action Saturday afternoon at Tylus Field. The Diplomats (12-1, 7-0 CC) have now won 12 straight contests and remain unbeaten in CC play, while the Mules drop to 8-5, 3-4 CC.

The Diplomats had several scoring opportunities in the first half as they outshot Muhlenberg 6-0 and held an 8-0 advantage in penalty corners, but the Mules successfully crowded the circle and goalkeeper Kristen Dornenburg turned away each of F&M's chances and the two sides headed into halftime tied at 0-0.

Steph McDonald broke the scoring drought just over four minutes into the second frame off a perfectly-executed penalty corner. Dana Venditti rolled the corner to McDonald at the top of the box, and the senior secured her sixth score of the year with a low blast into the cage.

Five minutes later, Maura Hennigan put F&M up 2-0 with a nearly identical goal to McDonald's. Venditti once again played the ball to the top of the circle - this time to the stick of Hennigan - and the senior knocked it home for her first tally of the year.

F&M's midfield was superb, controlling much of the possession and preventing the Mules from crossing the midfield line for the most of the game. Muhlenberg was unable to manufacture any quality looks at goal until the final few minutes as the Diplomats held the visitors without a shot until less than 10 minutes remaining.

Katie Cecere rounded out the F&M scoring in the 61st minute with close-range shot off a feed from Chelsey Talhelm.

The Mules managed to get on the board in the 67th minute as Erin Cummings finished off a penalty corner, but it was too little, too late and the Diplomats came away victorious.

Avery Koep notched one save in the win, while Dornenburg stopped nine shots in the losing effort.

F&M held a dominant 17-4 edge in shots and 16-3 advantage in penalty corners.

The Diplomats return to action at home on Monday against Rhodes. The non-conference contest is set for 5:00 p.m. at Tylus Field.

 Muhlenberg (8-5, 3-4 CC) vs. #5 F&M (12-1, 7-0 CC)

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 Muhlenberg..........  0  1 -  1
 F&M.................  0  3 -  3
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  39:11 F&M Steph McDonald (6) (Dana Venditti) - top of circle directly off corner
  2.  44:03 F&M Maura Hennigan (1) (Dana Venditti) - top of circle blast directly off corner
  3.  60:06 F&M Katie Cecere (6) (Chelsey Talhelm) - close range with gk out on right side
  4.  66:37 MUHL Erin Cummings (4) (Mariah Alston) - one pass off corner from left side

 Shots: Muhlenberg 4, F&M 17
 Saves: Muhlenberg 10 (Kristen Dornenburg 9; TEAM 1), F&M 1 (Avery Koep 1)