LANCASTER, Pa. - Behind a hat-trick by Caitlin Hoover, the Franklin & Marshall field hockey team defeated Ursinus 4-2 to advance to the Centennial Conference semi-finals for a second straight season. It was the second hat-trick of the season for Hoover. 

Within the first four minutes of the contest, Mary Lauren Franz buried a shot into the net to give Ursinus an early 1-0 advantage. Just three-and-a-half minutes later, however, Jessica Miller tipped in a pass from Hoover for the equalizer.

Hoover then scored the first of her three goals on the night in the 16th minute to put the Diplomats on top for good.

Coming out of halftime, Hoover scored off of a Miller assist, as F&M took a two-goal lead.

Ellie Bruggeman managed to cut the deficit to one with a goal in the fourth quarter, but after the Bears pulled their goalie in the final minutes of regulation, Hoover found the back of the cage for a third time to seal the game.

In goal, Meghan Dole made eight saves on 10 shots faced.

The Diplomats will now travel to Swarthmore on Thursday, November 2 at 7 p.m. to take on the Garnet in the Centennial Conference semi-finals.