Box Score FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – No. 5 Franklin & Marshall got two goals from Sydney Cole and held off No. 17 Mary Washington for a 3-2 victory Saturday afternoon in nonconference field hockey action. The win moved the Diplomats to 3-0 while the Eagles fell to 2-2.
The teams traded shots in the early going until Cole got the scoring started just 4:38 into the first, chipping the ball over Mary Washington goalkeeper Jessica Cavolt. The goal was the third of the season for the reigning Centennial Conference (CC) Offensive Player of the Week.
F&M threatened again in the 18th minute when the Diplomats were awarded a penalty stroke. However, Annie Horsley's ensuing shot was saved by Cavolt, keeping the score 1-0.
The Eagle defense did not withstand the F&M pressure for long, as just two minutes later Cole notched her second goal of the game. Mel Gula's shot from the top of the box found Cole in tight, with the junior forward redirecting it home for her second of the game and fourth of the season.
Mary Washington responded quickly, getting a goal from Lauren Hopkins in the 23rd minute to bring the score to 2-1. Neither team would find the back of the cage in the remaining minutes, and the Diplomats carried a one-goal lead into the break.
At halftime, the Eagles owned a 6-5 advantage in shots and 4-2 edge in penalty corners despite trailing on the scoreboard.
F&M extended its lead early in the second half when Melanie Consiglio scored on a shot from the left side to give the Diplomats a 3-1 lead. The goal was the first of the season for the senior.
Mary Washington looked to respond again, logging eight shots in the next 20 minutes before breaking through with a goal from Christine Lohr in the 60th minute. The F&M defense stepped up in the remaining minutes, allowing the Eagles just one more shot as the Diplomats held on for the 3-2 victory.
Cole paced the offense with five shots, while Horsley contributed three.
F&M goalkeeper Ilianna Santangelo (3-0) made seven saves to take the win, while Cavolt (2-2) also made seven.
The Diplomats return to the field on Wednesday, visiting York (Pa.) for a match at 4:30 p.m.
