Box Score LANCASTER, Pa. – No. 7 Franklin & Marshall took down visiting Elizabethtown 2-1 in non-conference field hockey action at Tylus Field on Friday evening. The Diplomats open the season at 1-0 with the victory, while the Blue Jays begin the year at 0-1.
F&M came out of the gates strong, grabbing the early lead on a goal from Audrey Buckman in the fifth minute of play. Katie Cecere slid a cross from near the endline on the right side of the goal, and Buckman was in perfect position to tap it into the cage to give the Diplomats the early 1-0 edge.
The two sides battled fairly evenly for the remainder of the half, and the Blue Jays evened things up early in the second frame in the 38th minute. Casey Fletcher sent a penalty corner to Kaylee Werner at the center of the circle, and Werner slipped a pass to her left to Lisa Foose, who rocketed it into goal to knot the score at 1-1.
The Diplomats bounced back and created several quality chances over the ensuing minutes, and were able to capitalize in the 52nd minute on a penalty corner of their own. Mary Kate Meedzan delivered the corner to Maria Guarisco at the top of the circle, and Guarisco settled the ball and buried a low strike for what would prove to be the game-winning tally.
After taking the one-goal advantage, the Diplomats controlled much of the possession and were able to keep the ball deep in Elizabethtown territory to ride out the victory.
Goalkeeper Avery Koep posted the shutout in net for F&M, notching one save on the day. Marlena Johnson totaled three saves in goal for the Blue Jays in the loss.
The Diplomats held an 11-7 advantage in shots and an 8-5 edge in penalty corners.
F&M returns to action on Wednesday at Alvernia at 7:00 p.m.
