ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- A second half rally eliminated a 2-1 halftime deficit, as Franklin & Marshall hung on to defeat Muhlenberg 4-3 in Centennial Conference (CC) play on Wednesday evening. Steven Yakita had a hand in all three second half goals, bookending a 60th minute assist with goals in the 58th and 71st minutes.

With the win, the Diplomats improved to 7-1-0 (2-1-0 CC) on the season, while the Muhls dropped to 4-3-1 (1-2-0 CC).

F&M got off to a blistering start, as Magnus Parente found twine for a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute.

Muhlenberg clawed back, as a Diplomat own goal in the 29th minute tied it. Just five minutes later, the Muhls struck again for a 2-1 halftime lead.

Enter Steven Yakita. An unassisted goal in the 58th minute tied the game at 2-2. Just 1:32 later, Yakita set up A.J. Kopacz's fourth goal in three games for a 3-2 lead. The senior forward polished off his brace with his fifth goal of the season in the 71st minute off a Shay Adamson helper for a 4-2 advantage.

The Muhls pulled one back in the 89th minute to narrow the gap to one goal, but F&M held strong for the 4-3 victory.

Muhlenberg held the edge in shots 12-9 and corners 7-5.

Steven Yakita, Kane Feudtner, and A.J. Kopacz led the way for the Diplomats with two shots each.

Sam Altman Farrell made five saves in the victory.

F&M continues its short road trip with a visit to Dickinson on Saturday afternoon with a noon kickoff.