Box Score LANCASTER, Pa. – The No. 6 Franklin & Marshall field hockey team fell to No. 8 Ursinus by a 5-2 score on Saturday afternoon in Centennial Conference (CC) action at Tylus Field. The loss was the first of the year for the Diplomats, who fell to 8-1, 2-1 CC, while the Bears improved to 6-1, 3-0 CC.
F&M entered the contest with five consecutive shutouts, a mark that tied a conference record. That streak came to an end just eight minutes into the game when Ursinus' Danielle Stong landed a rebound shot for the 1-0 lead.
Despite pressure from the Diplomats' offense through the end of the first half, F&M was unable to light the scoreboard, while the Bears capitalized on nearly all of their opportunities. Ursinus notched two more goals in the opening 35 minutes to head into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Just eight minute into the second half, the Bears added to their advantage to pull ahead by a 4-0 score in the 43rd minute. Maria Guarisco finally found the back of the cage for F&M in the 57th minute, taking a pass from Tamara Mills from the top right of the circle and sending a rocket past the Bears' goalkeeper.
Ursinus responded quickly, registering another score in the 61st to once again go ahead by four. In the closing minutes of the contest, Guarisco scored her second of the day, for her team-leading 11th of the season, en route to the 5-2 final.
Allie Morey (8-1) suffered the loss after allowing five goals and stopping four shots on the day. Her counterpart, Danielle DeSpirito (6-1) allowed two goals and turned back six opportunities for her sixth win of the year.
Ursinus held the narrow 17-15 advantage on shots, while the Diplomats led on corners at 15-12. Guarisco and Sydney Cole paced the offense with four shots apiece.
F&M returns to action on Wednesday when the Diplomats travel to take on McDaniel at 7:00 p.m.
