WESTMINSTER, Md. - No. 8 Franklin & Marshall captured its fifth straight victory with a 2-1 triumph over McDaniel in Centennial Conference (CC) field hockey action on Wednesday night. The Diplomats improve to 5-1 (2-0 CC), while the Green Terror fall to 3-4 (0-2 CC).

Steph McDonald put F&M on top in the 11th minute off a dish from Dana Venditti. McDonald, a senior defender, has now registered four goals on the season, more than doubling her career goals scored (3) coming into the year.

The contest remained 1-0 F&M until the 52nd minute, when the Green Terror made the most of a penalty corner opportunity. McDaniel's Paige Messersmith tipped in a strike from Sara Reynolds to knot things up at 1-1.

The tie score was shortlived, however, as the Diplomats bounced back with a tally just 20 seconds later. Kristen Zublin finished a breakaway chance off an assist from Chelsey Talhelm, marking the fifth straight game in which Zublin has found the back of the cage.

Avery Koep (4-1) posted the win in net for F&M with two saves, while the Green Terror's Caila White notched eight stops in the loss.

F&M returns home on Saturday for a top-20 showdown against No. 16 Ursinus at Tylus Field. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m.

 #8 F&M (5-1-0,2-0-0 CC) vs. McDaniel (3-4-0,0-2-0 CC)

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 F&M.................  1  1 -  2
 McDaniel............  0  1 -  1
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  10:13 F&M Steph McDonald (Dana Venditti)
  2.  51:15 MCDANIEL Paige Messersmith (Sara Reynolds) - Off corner
  3.  51:35 F&M Kristen Zublin (Chelsey Talhelm) - Breakaway, center pass, open cage

 Shots: F&M 15, McDaniel 6
 Saves: F&M 2 (Avery Koep 2), McDaniel 8 (Caila White 8)