LANCASTER, Pa. - Kristen Zublin's goal just after halftime lifted No. 9 Franklin & Marshall to a 1-0 upset of No. 4 Messiah on Thursday night in non-conference field hockey action at Tylus Field. The Diplomats (7-1) have now won seven straight, while the Falcons (6-2) fall for the second time this year.

It was a free-flowing game full of end-to-end action all night long as both sides possessed the ball well. After a scoreless first stanza, Zublin and the Diplomats capitalized on their first opportunity of the second half.

Following a penalty corner from Dana Venditti, Steph McDonald blasted a liner from the top of the circle towards goal, where Zublin was able to deflect it into the back of the cage for a 1-0 F&M edge. The tally was Zublin's team-leading eighth score of the year and proved to be all the Diplomats needed to secure the win.

While the Falcons had a few quality looks at net throughout the remainder of play, the Diplomats stymied each chance and maintained much of the possession of the ball as time winded down. 

F&M held a 12-9 advantage in shots and a 10-4 margin in penalty corners.

Goalkeeper Avery Koep (6-1) tallied three saves to earn her third shutout victory of the season. Messiah's Molly Gebrosky (6-2) managed one save in the loss.

The Diplomats return to Centennial Conference action on Saturday at Bryn Mawr. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m.

#4 Messiah (6-2) vs. #9 F&M (7-1)

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 Messiah.............  0  0 -  0
 F&M.................  0  1 -  1
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  37:57 F&M Kristen Zublin (8) (Steph McDonald) - deflection off of shot

 Shots: Messiah 9, F&M 12
 Saves: Messiah 2 (Molly Gebrosky 1; TEAM 1), F&M 4 (Avery Koep 3; TEAM 1)