GETTYSBURG, Pa. – A first quarter deficit proved too much for the Franklin & Marshall women's lacrosse team to overcome on Sunday as the second-seeded Diplomats (16-3) were defeated by top-seeded Gettysburg (16-3), 8-5, during the Centennial Conference Championship. F&M and Gettysburg came into the contest ranked fourth and sixth, respectively, in the latest ILWomen/IWLCA National Top 25 poll. The Bullets led 5-2 after the first quarter behind a stifling defense before holding on for the conference title.

Despite today's result, the Diplomats surely have a very strong case for selection into the NCAA Division III Tournament as they have been ranked inside the top five nationally all year long, placing as high as second in the national polls throughout the regular season. Included in the team's 16 victories are seven wins against teams that are nationally-ranked. The NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Selection Show will be stream on NCAA.com tomorrow Morning (Monday, May 9) at 10:30 a.m.

Four of the Diplomats' five goals Sunday came off the stick of Ally Marino, with Marissa McGarrey also finding the back of the cage once after her hat trick during the semifinals. Emily Kitchin was outstanding in goal with 13 saves, stopping 62 percent of the shots she faced.

Gettysburg finished the contest with a 13-4 advantage in draw controls as the Diplomats' defending duties were made even more difficult by the team not being able to secure a draw during the final three quarters of game action. Marino first knotted game at one-all just 28 seconds after the Bullets scored, but Gettysburg ran off three goals in a span of just 1:10 for a lead they would not relinquish. McGarrey broke that run at the 8:15 mark to cap a high-paced opening seven minutes before both defenses started to impose their will.

Marino scored a down goal to bring her team back within two, 5-3, early in the second quarter. Nevertheless, F&M did not score again until Marino tallied with seven seconds remaining in the third quarter off of Maddy Birch's second assist. Marino also struck late in the fourth, making the score an 8-5 final.

The host Bullets finished the contest with a 27-19 edge in shots and got eight saves from goalie Gill Cortese. The Bullets additionally took eight free-position shots compared to no such shot attempts from the Diplomats. Defending much of the afternoon, Mary Pat McKenna had another strong game with a team-best three caused turnovers and four ground balls. McGarrey also forced a pair of giveaways. Another testament to the defensive effort was F&M being issued six yellow cards and not conceding a women-up goal over the entire afternoon.