Box Score CARLISLE, Pa. – A Zach Fried goal with just 2:47 remaining on the clock broke a scoreless tie and handed the Franklin & Marshall men's soccer team a 1-0 victory over Catholic on Saturday evening in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. It was the first win in the tournament for the Diplomats since 1981.
F&M improved to 15-3-2 on the season and will square off in the NCAA Second Round against the host Dickinson tomorrow at 5:00 p.m., while Catholic's season ends with a 12-6-2 mark. Earlier in the day, the Red Devils took down Susquehanna by a 2-0 score to advance to the round of 32.
With the contest knotted at 0-0 in the 87th minute, a Ryan O'Connell corner from the left side of the field found the foot of Fried in the box. The ball made its way to the Catholic goalkeeper, who was unable to keep it out of the net as the Diplomats went up by one with only minutes remaining.
In the 88th minute, the Cardinals lined up for a corner on the right side, sending a cross into the box. F&M goalkeeper T.J. White fought through traffic, punching the ball safely to the left side of the field.
Just seconds later, Catholic had another look at the net when a cross from the left side led to a sliding shot on net from the top of the box, however the opportunity sailed well over the top of the crossbar as the Diplomats hung on for their second NCAA Tournament victory in program history.
Neither offense could find their rhythm in the opening half as each team recorded just three shots apiece. Action heated up in the second when F&M controlled the pace with eight shots and multiple near misses on net.
White (13-3) earned the victory after turning back the only shot he faced. The Diplomats led in shots at 11-5 and dominated on corners with an 8-2 advantage.
F&M looks to advance into the round of 16 for the first time in the history of the program when the Diplomats meet Dickinson for the third time this season. F&M holds a 2-0 edge over the Red Devils in 2013 that includes a 4-0 win at home on Oct. 26 and a 2-1 2OT victory in the Centennial Conference (CC) Championship game on Nov. 10.
