LANCASTER, Pa. -- Connor Anderko's header just 1:12 into the first overtime session sent No. 18 Franklin & Marshall to a season-opening win at home over Eastern Connecticut State (ECS) on Saturday afternoon. After a red card late in regulation put the Diplomats down to 10-men entering the extra frame, a corner whipped in from Phillip Monos found Anderko at the near post for the game winner.

The Diplomats (1-0) had early chances against the visiting Warriors, racking up seven corner kicks in the first half, including five in the first seven minutes of play. The best chance off the run of corners came off the dome of Dallen Moore in the fifth minute which was snared by the ECS keeper. F&M continued its strong run of play through the end of the half, with Steven Yakita, Christian Avila Neres, and A.J. Kopacz all having chances snuffed out.

ECS came out of the break in control, racking up four straight shots and silencing the F&M offense. Sam Altman Farrell was up to the task, making several diving stops to keep the nil-nil deadlock in tact. F&M thought they might have broken through in the 70th minute, as Dallen Moore hit a screamer over the crossbar that froze the Warrior defense.

Both teams picked up the pace towards the end of regulation, leading to a yellow card shown to either side. It culminated in a red card being shown to Adam Green in the 89th minute for a late challenge on the ECS keeper, putting F&M down to ten men entering extra time.

The Diplomats wasted little time, and immediately hit the gas down the field. After Avila Neres's shot was deflected out for a corner, the Monos to Anderko connection sent the home crowd into a frenzy with a golden goal winner.

A.J. Kopacz led the team with three shots, while Steven Yakita, Christian Avila Neres, and Dallen Moore each had a pair. F&M led in shots 13-10 and corners 10-3 on the day.

Sam Altman Farrell made six stops for the shutout victory, the first of his Diplomat career after transferring in from Division I Radford.

F&M continues their stretch at home on Labor Day, playing host to Mary Hardin-Baylor at Tylus Field beginning at 7:00pm.