LANCASTER, Pa. -- Steven Yakita's 79th minute strike sent No. 18 Franklin & Marshall to its second victory of the young season, downing Mary Hardin-Baylor 1-0 on Monday evening at Tylus Field. With the win, the Diplomats improved to 2-0 on the season, while the Crusaders dropped to 1-2.

The first half had a handful of close moments for the Diplomats. Steven Yakita rifled a shot in the 20th minute from just outside the box that required an acrobatic save from the Mary Hardin-Baylor keeper to keep the score deadlocked. Five minutes later, Carl Friedrich bent a free kick around the wall, again requiring a diving stop from the opposing backstop. Ben Ceccio also had a chance in the 43rd minute, but again was stonewalled by Dalton Lloyd.

Mary Hardin-Baylor was held shotless in the first half until Lloyd stepped up to take a free kick from midfield that Sam Altman Farrell lept above the defense to snare.

The Crusaders stepped up in the second half, controlling the early portions and forcing Farrell into a pair of saves in the 53rd and 57th minutes.

Yakita nearly got on the receiving end of a chance in the 69th minute, but pushed the attempt wide.

The senior forward made good on his next attempt, as Christian Avila Neres laced in a cross from the left flank that found an unmarked Yakita at the back post for the game winner.

The Diplomats outshot the Crusaders 13-7 and led 5-3 in corners. Steven Yakita led F&M with four shots, while Ben Ceccio and Carl Friedrich ended with a pair each.

Sam Altman Farrell made four saves for his second shutout of the season.

F&M returns to action on Saturday evening for the Smith-Herr Boot Game, taking on Elizabethtown at Tylus Field beginning at 7:00pm.