FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The No. 2 Franklin & Marshall field hockey team was able to overcome a stiff challenge from Mary Washington on Saturday as the Diplomats (2-1) overcame an early 2-0 deficit to claim a hard-fought 3-2 victory on the road.

F&M found itself in an early deficit as the host Eagles scored a pair of goals just 2:33 apart and held a 2-0 advantage after 15 minutes. The Eagles controlled the tempo during the opening period with the only four shots and two penalty corners going in their favor.

The Diplomats swung the momentum back in their direction with the only five shots and four penalty corners of the second quarter. Avery Niedland was able to capitalize on those successive chances during the 19th minute of play when she scored the first goal of her collegiate career.

The third quarter was a defensive battle, but the Diplomats made the most of their only shot attempt as Darby Klopp scored just 4:12 into the second half to tie the match at two-all. Klopp's goal was her first this season after she recorded 10 goals and eight assists during the Diplomats' run to the national championship in 2019.

With the score tied heading into the final 15 minutes of regulation, the two sides created nearly as much pressure on the opposing defenses as they did over the previous three quarters. F&M racked up seven shots during that time while Mary Washington had three runs at the goal. The game-winning goal came off the stick of Amelia McCarthy as she too tallied her first goal of the season. After scoring the game-tying goal, Klopp assisted on the game-winning goal that came during the 50th minute of play. The Diplomats were able to successfully defend four penalty corners during the final quarter and hold on for the 3-2 victory.

F&M finished with a 13-8 advantage in shots and held a slight 8-7 edge in penalty corners. Maddie Bickel and McCarthy led those efforts with three shots each. Goalkeeper Sydney Lippe picked up the win in goal as she made four saves during her 60 minutes in the cage. Each of those saves came during the second half, including three in the fourth quarter, as the Eagles were continually denied after their early lead.

Field hockey returns to the road this coming Wednesday as it battles York starting at 6 p.m. The Diplomats will return home next Saturday for a noon start against Lebanon Valley on Tylus Field.