Box Score LANCASTER, Pa. – A four-goal second half propelled the No. 8 Franklin & Marshall field hockey team to a dominant 7-1 victory over Alvernia on Wednesday evening at Tylus Field. The Diplomats moved to 2-0 with the win, while the Crusaders fell to 1-1.
The contest remained scoreless until 12 minutes into the first when Maria Guarisco notched her first tally of the season. Alvernia responded just over five minutes later, driving into the circle, splitting the Diplomats' defense and sending a shot into the back of the cage to knot the score at 1-1.
F&M responded with two unanswered to end the half, including a Megan Kelly goal in the 22nd minute, following by Guarsico's second tally in the 30th, a backhand shot to the far right of the cage, to head into halftime up 3-1.
In the second, the Diplomats' offense poured on the goals, tallying three in a span of eight minutes to pull ahead by 6-1 in the 54th. Samantha Porcelli rounded out the scoring 10 minutes later, taking a feed from Annie Horsley just inside the circle and sending a shot into the cage for the 7-1 final.
Goalkeeper Allie Morey (2-0) registered the win, stopping a pair of shots and allowing only one goal in 70 minutes of action. Her counterpart, Erin Wunsch (1-1) was dealt the loss after picking up 13 saves, but allowing all seven goals.
Guarisco finished with a pair of goals and one assist for the Diplomats, while Clare Wirth tallied one goal and one assist. Audrey Buckman, Sydney Cole and Kelly also recorded scores on the evening.
F&M outshot Alvernia by a 32-3 margin, while also leading on penalty corners at 13-4.
The Diplomats return to the field on Saturday when F&M travels to take on Mary Washington at 4:00 p.m.
