Box Score WESTMINSTER, Md. – No. 7 Franklin & Marshall got back to its winning ways with a convincing 4-1 victory against McDaniel on Wednesday evening in Centennial Conference (CC) field hockey action. The Diplomats improved to 9-1, 3-1 CC with the win, while the Green Terror fell to 6-3, 2-1 CC.
A McDaniel goal in the final minute of play denied F&M its seventh shutout of the season, however it proved to be the only blemish for a stellar Diplomats' defense that did not allow a shot on goal up to that point.
Sydney Cole got the first point up on the scoreboard for F&M in the 10th minute, taking a Lauren Eastman feed from the right side and burying a shot for the sixth goal of her freshman campaign.
Midway through the opening half, Maria Guarisco tallied her team-leading 12th goal, and fifth score in the last four contests, when Cole slid a hard cross over to the junior midfielder who fired a backhanded shot past the Green Terror's keeper.
Just two minutes remained on the clock until halftime when Sarah Powell turned and fired a shot from the top of the circle that found its way to the back of the cage for the commanding three-goal advantage.
The Diplomats continued to control the pace in the second and wrapped up their scoring in the 67th when Guarisco found Audrey Buckman on a breakaway for her third score of the season.
A 14-2 margin in shots favored F&M, including an 8-0 mark in the first half of action. Penalty corners were also heavily in the Diplomats' favor at 15-3. Powell and Cole each registered three shots through 70 minutes, while Guarisco, Buckman and Megan Kelly were each credited with a pair of opportunities.
Allie Morey (9-1) earned the win for F&M, while Calia White of McDaniel was charged with the loss after allowing four goals and turning away five shots.
The Diplomats continue CC competition on Wednesday when F&M plays host to Johns Hopkins at 7:00 p.m.
