Box Score SWARTHMORE, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall's defense flexed its muscles on Saturday, holding Swarthmore to just one shot through 70 minutes in a commanding 3-0 shutout of the Garnet to open Centennial Conference (CC) play on the road.
The No. 4 Diplomats improved to 5-1, 1-0 CC with the win, while Swarthmore fell to 1-4, 0-1 CC.
CC scoring leader Maria Guarisco needed just 12 minutes to get F&M on the board in the first half, tallying an unassisted goal for her eighth of the season.
Ahead by a 1-0 score in the 47th minute of the second half, an insert at the top of the circle to Sarah Schannauer was dished to Melanie Consiglio, who tallied her second of the season to put the Diplomats up by a pair of goals.
Sarah Powell added some insurance in the 64th minute with a solo tally for the three-goal advantage.
F&M's impressive defense never allowed Swarthmore to threaten, as the Diplomats kept the opposition from registering a shot on goal throughout the afternoon. Freshman goalkeeper Ilianna Santangelo (1-0) picked up for first career win in cage, while the Garnet's Ainsley Parrish (1-4) suffered the loss despite an incredible 16-save effort.
Shots were heavily in favor of F&M at a 33-1 margin, while penalty corners were 20-0 for the Diplomats. Guarisco led the way with eight shots, followed by five from Anne Horsley. Lauren Eastman, Audrey Buckman, Sydney Cole and Consiglio all recorded three attempts on the day.
The Diplomats travel to No. 20 Messiah on Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. game.
