LANCASTER, Pa. - No. 6 Franklin & Marshall reeled off its 14th straight win and moved one step closer to claiming the top seed in the Centennial Conference (CC) playoffs with a 3-1 triumph over Washington College on Saturday at Tylus Field. The Diplomats (14-1, 8-0 CC) remain unblemished in the conference with the win, while the Shorewomen (9-7, 5-3 CC) see their three-game winning streak come to an end.

Washington struck first in the 17th minute as Hillary Kane finished a Claire McAuliffe penalty corner to give the Shorewomen a 1-0 edge.

Facing their first deficit since the opening game of the season, the Diplomats bounced back with a game-tying score exactly 10 minutes later on a penalty corner of their own. Dana Venditti slid the corner to Steph McDonald at the top of the circle, and the senior unloaded a strike to the back of the cage to even things up at 1-1.

F&M buckled down on defense following Washington's opening score, keeping the visitors without another shot until the 55th minute of play.

The Diplomats consistently put the pressure on the Shorewomen defense throughout the contest, and found paydirt twice in the early stages of the second half to jump out to a two-goal advantage.

In the 42nd minute, Venditti put F&M on top with her seventh tally of the year. Mary Kate Olson lifted a cross from the left side into the circle, and Venditti rocketed it home to make it 2-1.

Maura Hennigan added an insurance goal five minutes later. The senior dribbled into the circle on the right side and fired it into the net for her second score of the year.

F&M goalkeeper Avery Koep was largely untested in the contest, registering one save to earn the victory. Washington's Stephanie Harryman tallied eight saves in the loss.

The No. 6 Diplomats are back in CC action on Tuesday at Gettysburg at 4:30 p.m.

 Washington College (9-7, 5-3 CC) vs. #6 F&M (14-1, 8-0 CC)

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 Washington College..  1  0 -  1
 F&M.................  1  2 -  3
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  6:20 WC Hillary Kane (Claire McAuliffe) - directly off corner
  2.  16:20 F&M Steph McDonald (7) (Dana Venditti) - first pass off corner
  3.  41:07 F&M Dana Venditti (7) (Mary Kate Olson) - cross from left, batted in on right side
  4.  46:14 F&M Maura Hennigan (2) (unassisted) - low shot from right just inside circle

 Shots: Washington College 6, F&M 14
 Saves: Washington College 8 (Stephanie Harryman 8), F&M 1 (Avery Koep 1)