LANCASTER, Pa. - Franklin & Marshall defeated Washington College 2-1 in a hard-fought and critical Centennial Conference (CC) men's soccer game on Saturday at Tylus Field. The Diplomats (11-4, 4-3 CC) now sit in fourth place in the CC standings, while the Shoremen (5-8, 3-4 CC) are on the outside looking in on the playoff picture.

After a scoreless opening 70 minutes, Sam Lane broke the 0-0 tie with a right-footed rocket into the upper-right netting off a dish from Shawn Ganow. Several quick and deft passes from the Diplomats just outside the 18-yard box resulted in Lane cruising towards goal, and the sophomore delivered his sixth score of the season to put F&M on top 1-0.

Just over 10 minutes later, Jared Bomba registered the dagger as he cleaned up the rebound off a Ben Beaver shot to give the Diplomats a two-goal advantage. Beaver's initial shot hit the post and bounced out to Bomba, who buried it for his fourth score of the year.

The Shoremen attempted to make things interesting in the waning minutes as Ryan Duffy converted on a penalty kick shortly after Bomba's tally, but the F&M defense held tough and claimed the 2-1 triumph.

Goalkeeper T.J. White registered three saves to earn the win in net, while Tyler Cabot totaled two saves in the loss for the Shoremen.

F&M outshot Washington 14-10 and held a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.

The Diplomats return to action at home on Wednesday against Gettysburg. The CC showdown is set for 7:00 p.m. at Tylus Field.

 Washington College (5-8, 3-4 CC) vs. F&M (11-4, 4-3 CC)

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 Washington College..  0  1 -  1
 F&M.................  0  2 -  2
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  71:55 F&M Sam Lane (6) (Shawn Ganow)
  2.  82:47 F&M Jared Bomba (4) (Ben Beaver)
  3.  83:19 WC Ryan Duffy (1) Penalty kick

 Shots: Washington College 10, F&M 14
 Saves: Washington College 2 (Tyler Cabot 2), F&M 3 (TJ White 3)