Box Score LANCASTER, Pa. – Two first-half goals gave Muhlenberg a 2-0 victory over Franklin & Marshall on Saturday afternoon in a back-and-forth Centennial Conference (CC) women's soccer match at Tylus Field. The defeat dropped F&M to 3-9-1 overall and 1-6 in the conference, while Muhlenberg improved to 4-9-1 overall and 3-4 in the CC.
The opening minutes belonged to the Diplomats, producing multiple scoring opportunities in the early going. Courtney Overacker narrowly missed scoring in the third minute, stealing the ball from a Muhlenberg defender on the right side and smacking the ensuing shot off of the near post from 12 yards out.
The pressure continued in the 12th minute when Kyra Judge found space for a header on the back post following an F&M corner kick, only to see her effort saved. A third quality opportunity came in the 13th minute when Sabrina Graziano and Lauren Kranis combined near the left sideline, giving Graziano space for a cross that eventually found Kate Kerr for a shot that sailed inches high.
Despite the abundance of Diplomat opportunities, it was Muhlenberg that opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Emily Jordan nodded home a Carly DeNigris free kick from the left side.
The play continued to be even, but the Mules again found the net in the 38th minute when Jordan notched her second goal of the game, hooking a shot into the top-left corner from about 20 yards out on the right side.
At halftime the statistics were even as F&M held a slim 2-1 advantage in corners, while Muhlenberg held a 9-6 advantage in shots. Regardless, it was the Mules with the crucial 2-0 lead despite Diplomat goalkeeper Shannon Johnson-Finn logging five saves in the period.
F&M appeared to be the more aggressive side early in the second, pressuring the Muhlenberg backs and keeping the ball in the Diplomat attacking third. The Mules again retaliated with a great opportunity in the 60th minute, only to have Sarah Mischianti intervene with an opportune slide tackle to keep the score 2-0.
F&M attackers continued to pressure the Muhlenberg goal, but ultimately an opening tally proved elusive for the Diplomats, with the match ending 2-0.
Each team tallied 13 shots in the match, while F&M earned a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Kerr led the Diplomat attack, notching three shots. Overacker, Judge, and Kim Kornbluth each contributed two attempts at goal.
Johnson-Finn was forced to make just one save in the second half, finishing with six.
F&M returns to action on Wednesday, hosting Stockton for a 7:00 p.m. match at Tylus Field.
