LANCASTER, Pa. – No. 8 Franklin & Marshall downed Swarthmore 16-7 in the Centennial Conference (CC) opener for both teams Saturday afternoon. F&M improved to 6-2, 1-0 CC while the Garnet fell to 4-1, 0-1 CC. 

F&M took an early 2-0 lead three minutes into the game and the Garnet answered with three straight to go out front 3-2. The lead was short-lived as F&M closed out the half with six unanswered and took an 8-3 lead into the break.

Swarthmore struck first in the second to make it 8-4 and F&M countered with five straight and took a 13-4 lead with 12:50 left to play. The Garnet put one through at 11:21 followed by a pair from F&M. Two goals by Swarthmore made it 15-7 with a little more than four minutes left to play and the Diplomats put the last point on the board with a goal at 2:12.

Paige Moriarty paced the offense with two scores and three assists, Grace Norley had three goals while Caroline Kolva, Maddie Hughes, Nancy Taylor and Juliann Lisovicz all scored two goals for F&M. Ryann Laible and Megan Jackson each had a score and Jane Cote ended with one goal and two assists.

Anya Chopoorian had nine draw controls and Maggie Hanzsche caused two turnovers. Danielle Harrington picked up the win and improved to 6-2 with seven saves in goal.

F&M outshot the Garnet 40-17, held a 20-5 lead in draw controls and went 15-for-15 in clear attempts.

The Diplomats return to action on Wednesday when F&M travels to Salisbury for a 4:00 p.m. game.