LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall men's lacrosse team doubled up Washington College by a 16-8 final as the Diplomats celebrated Senior Day on Saturday afternoon. The win moves the Diplomats into a tie for the fourth and final playoff spot heading into the final week of the regular season.

The seniors honored prior to the start of Saturday's regular season home finale were Michael Buttelman, Sam Cosimano, Will DeMuth, Spencer Hall, Noah Isaacson, Tristan Lynch, Eddy Madden, A.J. Rigsby, Eric Scheuerle, and Blake Target.

Fittingly enough, it was that senior class who led F&M to the victory on Saturday. A.J. Rigsby tallied nine points, with four goals and five assists. Blake Target added four more goals to go along with his helper. Will DeMuth, Eric Scheuerle, Spencer Hall, and Michael Buttelman also scored throughout the victory while Noah Isaacson added an assist.

The first 15 minutes were all Franklin & Marshall as the Diplomats got goals from Will Mollihan, James Moroney, and Rigsby to go up 3-0 early. F&M added five goals in the second for what turned out to be the highest scoring period of the afternoon. Rigsby had a pair of goals over those 15 minutes, with Target, Pierce Archer, and DeMuth also rattling the back of the cage. F&M's final goal of the opening half came as time expired. The Diplomats scored twice during the final 1:19 of the quarter to carry a 7-4 lead into the locker room.

Washington College scored the opening goal of the second half just eight seconds into the third quarter, but the rest of the contest was controlled by F&M as the Diplomats scored the next three goals in that period before closing the contest on a 4-1 run. Target added two in the third and one in the fourth while Will Mulligan, Hall, Buttleman, and Scheuerle each scored their first goals of the game during the final 30 minutes.

The Diplomats more than doubled up the Shoremen in shots, holding a 47-20 advantage in that category. However, 20 saves from the Shoremen's Ryan Leahy helped keep the game closer in the end. Sage Garito finished with a better save percentage overall than his counterpart, turning away 12 of Washington College's 20 shots on goal.

Connor Helm collected a game-high seven ground balls after winning nine of his 16 restarts at the face-off X. Adam Soper and Matthew Freeman also saw time on the restart as all three won at least half of their battles. The Diplomats additionally caused 11 turnovers, led by DeMuth's two CTs. Tristan Lynch had a strong game on his Senior Day, scooping up three ground balls and forcing one takeaway. F&M won the ground ball battle by a 50-29 advantage.

Men's lacrosse wraps up the regular season on the road next Saturday at Haverford. Opening face-off in that Centennial Conference contest is set for 3 p.m. The Diplomats will need a win and help to get into the Centennial Conference Tournament which begins on Wednesday, May 4.