Box Score Box Score
LANCASTER, Pa. - Despite battling throughout, Franklin & Marshall's women's soccer team fell in a hard-fought 2-0 loss to Washington on Saturday afternoon in Centennial Conference (CC) competition at Tylus Field.
The Diplomats saw their overall record fall to 1-11-1, 0-8 CC on the year while the Shorewomen improved to 7-5, 3-5 CC.
Washington secured the momentum in the game's early going with several early chances, before capitalizing in the 16th minute. A long cross from the far side of the field by Olivia Sabatino was deflected in front by her sister Arianna for the 1-0 lead.
After the goal, the Diplomats' offense found their rhythm and took over possession throughout the remainder of the frame. F&M was nearly rewarded for its sold effort in the 41st minute when a Sarah Marsan corner led to a Maija Woodruff header on net that sailed just wide of the right post.
Following the opening half of competition, F&M held the shot advantage at 5-3 but trailed in corners at 4-1.
Five minutes into the second half, F&M had its best opportunity of the game when Sabrina Graziano lofted a cross into the middle of the box that was settled down by Haley Barge and fired on net. However, the Shorewomen goalkeeper was there for the point-blank stop to maintain the Washington lead.
In the 64th minute, the Shorewomen increased their advantage to two when Erin O'Reilly collected the ball along the near sideline and pushed a short cross to Emily Jacoby, who worked her way around Gabby Panayotakis in net and fired a shot past the Diplomat 'keeper.
F&M came within inches of responding in the 69th. Nicolette Runko sent a well-placed cross into the center of the box that was unable to be controlled by Washington's netminder Courtney Colbert. After bouncing around in front, Sabrina Graziano had a golden chance to get the Diplomats on the scoreboard but Colbert was there for the improbable stop.
The F&M offense was aggressive late in the half and generated several strong chances on goal, but the Diplomats were unable to get a ball into the back of the net.
Overall, the final shot count belonged to F&M at 11-9, while the Shorewomen led corners at 7-3. Woodruff, Barge, and Sam Springer were active for the Diplomat offense with three shots each.
Panayotakis (0-8-1) was charged with the loss after registering one save in the opening half. Caton Raffensperger relieved her at halftime and played the final 45 minutes in net. Annalie Buscarino (3-4) earned the Washington win.
CC competition continues next Saturday when the Diplomats travel to Bryn Mawr for a 2:00 p.m. game.
