LANCASTER, Pa. - No. 10 Franklin & Marshall used a balanced scoring attack to roll past visiting Alvernia 4-1 in non-conference field hockey action Thursday night at Tylus Field. Four different players tallied scores for the Diplomats (2-1) in their home opener as they handed the Crusaders (1-2) their first loss of the year.

Neither team was able to generate much offense in the early-going, as the two sides combined for just one shot in the opening 10 minutes. Kristen Zublin changed that at the 13-minute mark with her second goal of the year to give F&M a 1-0 edge. Dana Venditti sent a feed from the right end-line towards goal, and Zublin touched it home for the early Diplomat advantage.

F&M extended its lead with a well-executed penalty corner just before the halftime break. Venditti sent the corner to Maura Hennigan at the top of the circle, who one-timed a pass to her left to the stick of Steph McDonald. McDonald then rocketed a shot into the far corner of the cage to give the Diplomats a 2-0 lead heading into the intermission.

Megan Kelly pushed the Diplomats out to a three-goal advantage with her first career score in the 46th minute. With the ball loose in front of the cage following another Venditti corner, Kelly swatted it home for a 3-0 F&M lead.

Alvernia pulled within 3-1 just over 10 minutes later. Kyle Dillman found the back of the cage, unassisted, off a rebounded shot from Miranda Peto that was stopped by F&M goalkeeper Avery Koep.

The Diplomats converted off yet another penalty corner in the 65th minute to all but cement the victory. Mary Kate Olson slid the corner to McDonald, positioned close to Olson on the left side. McDonald then rifled a low-liner towards the far post, and Rachel Cooke tipped it home for the final 4-1 margin of victory.

Koep notched a season-high seven saves in the victory to move to 2-1 on the year, while the Crusaders' Erin Wunsch (2-1) totaled 10 saves in the loss. Courtney Daniels took over in net for the final five minutes of regulation for Alvernia.

The Diplomats are back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 12 for a non-conference matchup against Immaculata at 7:00 p.m.

 Alvernia (2-1) vs. No. 10 F&M (2-1)

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 Alvernia............  0  1 -  1
 F&M.................  2  2 -  4
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  13:00 F&M Kristen Zublin (2) (Dana Venditti) - cross from right, batted in
  2.  34:42 F&M Steph McDonald (2) (Maura Hennigan) - one-time pass off penalty corner - ripped to far corner
  3.  45:45 F&M Megan Kelly (1) (unassisted) - off rebound in front of goal
  4.  56:42 ALVFH Kyle Dillman (1) (unassisted) - off rebound in front of goal
  5.  64:24 F&M Rachel Cooke (3) (Steph McDonald) - low liner off penalty corner to far post

 Shots: Alvernia 11, F&M 23
 Saves: Alvernia 12 (Erin Wunsch 10; TEAM 2), F&M 7 (Avery Koep 7)