LANCASTER, Pa. -In a rematch of last year's Centennial Conference (CC) championship, Franklin & Marshall took down visiting Ursinus 3-0 on Saturday afternoon in a battle of nationally ranked squads. The No. 8 Diplomats (6-1, 3-0 CC) tallied each of their three scores in the first half to hand the No. 16 Bears (3-3, 1-2 CC) their second shutout loss of the season.

Neither side was able to generate many scoring opportunities early on, until Dana Venditti gave F&M a 1-0 edge on the game's first shot in the 18th minute. Venditti took a penalty corner for the Diplomats, stepped in towards goal, and redirected a Steph McDonald blast from the top of the circle in the cage to give the Diplomats the early lead.

F&M extended its lead 10 minutes later on another deflection in front of goal following a penalty corner. Kristen Zublin sent a close-range shot towards net that was touched in by Katie Cecere for her fourth score of the year and a two-goal F&M cushion.

Less than a minute later the Diplomats registered their third goal of the half - once again after a penalty corner. Meghan Barlow finished a dish from Maria Guarisco for the final 3-0 margin of victory.

F&M's backline of McDonald, Bethany Vincent, Megan Kelly and Mary Kate Olson was stellar all day, limiting the Bears to minimal quality chances around the cage. Goalkeeper Avery Koep totaled four saves to post her second shutout of the year, while Ursinus's Brittany Dolson turned away three shots in the loss.

F&M outshot the Bears 14-11 and held a slight 11-10 edge in penalty corners.

The No. 8 Diplomats return to action on Thursday for a top-10 showdown with No. 4 Messiah in non-conference action. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at Tylus Field.

 #16 Ursinus (3-3, 1-2 CC) vs. #8 F&M (6-1, 3-0 CC)

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 Ursinus.............  0  0 -  0
 F&M.................  3  0 -  3
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  17:39 F&M Dana Venditti (4) (Steph McDonald) - tipped off #21 shot from penalty corner
  2.  27:51 F&M Katie Cecere (4) (Kristen Zublin) - deflected off pass in front of goal
  3.  28:50 F&M Meghan Barlow (2) (Maria Guarisco) - touch pass to right - slid on ground to far post

 Shots: Ursinus 11, F&M 14
 Saves: Ursinus 3 (Brittany Dolson 3), F&M 4 (Avery Koep 4)