Box Score ALLENTOWN, Pa. – No. 14 Franklin & Marshall suffered its first defeat of the season with a 1-0 setback at Muhlenberg in Centennial Conference (CC) men's soccer action on Saturday night. The Diplomats fall to 7-1-1, 1-1 CC with the loss, while the Mules improve to 5-4, 1-1 CC.
After a back-and-forth first half that featured each squad recording three shots apiece and Muhlenberg holding a slight 4-3 edge in corner kicks, the Mules found the back of the net just after halftime. Lance Dotzman earned a penalty kick for the Mules while going up for a header in the box off a free kick.
Travis Wantchekon finished the penalty shot to give Muhlenberg the one-goal edge in the 49th minute, snapping F&M's streak of nearly 800 minutes of shutout play to begin the year. The Diplomats entered the contest as the only team in the nation to not have surrendered a goal.
The Diplomats pressured the Mules deep in their defensive territory for the majority of the remaining time, registering seven corners and six shots throughout the final 40 minutes.
In the 74th minute, Chris Scott ripped a long-range shot from the left side that almost snuck into the near post, but Muhlenberg goalkeeper Ellison Heil (5-4) secured one of his three saves with a diving stop to his right. Two minutes later, Zach Fried sent a hard-hit, dipping shot towards net that Heil also turned back with a superb effort.
F&M created multiple more dangerous opportunities deep in the Mules' territory down the stretch, working a variety of long crosses and free kicks into the box. The Muhlenberg defense successfully packed it in, however, allowing very little room for the Diplomats to work in the goal area.
The Diplomats held a 9-5 advantage in shots and a 10-5 edge in corner kicks. Goalkeeper T.J. White (7-1-1) totaled three saves in the loss.
F&M returns to CC play on Wednesday night at home against Ursinus. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at Tylus Field.
