SALEM, Virginia – The Franklin & Marshall women's lacrosse team saw its deep run into the NCAA Division III National Tournament come to an end Friday at hands of No. 1 Middlebury, 22-13. The Diplomats (18-5) were playing the defending national champions close for much of the first half before the undefeated Panthers closed the final 2:56 of the opening 30 minutes on a 4-0 run to create some separation.

The Diplomats' attack continued to display a number or versatile options as the team got hat tricks from Lydia Cassilly, Gillian Brennan, and Lauren Pittman. Nevertheless, Middlebury's Jane Earley – the reigning IWLCA National Player of the Year – led six multi-goal scorers from the opponent's high-powered attack to a spot in Sunday's national championship game.

Middlebury got the early just with the first two goals, but Franklin & Marshall quickly countered as both Brennan and Pittman tallied unassisted goals to knot the game at two-all with 6:50 to play in the opening period. That high-scoring start proved to be a sign of things to come as Lane Lambeth's goal with 34 seconds remaining during the opening quarter saw the top-ranked team holding a 5-3 lead after 15 minutes.

Brennan and Cassilly both added their second goals of the afternoon during the second quarter, with Cassilly's down goal trimming the Middlebury lead to 8-5. However, the Panthers ran off the final four goals of the half to take a 12-5 advantage into the break.

Franklin & Marshall scored four goals during both the third and fourth quarters, but could not seem to contain the Middlebury attack which added five during each of those remaining periods. Cassilly scored another down goal to start the third period before Brennan capped her hat trick at the 10:20 mark.

The Diplomats looked to be in the early stages of a comeback as Pittman and Sydney Lowe closed the third quarter with back-to-back tallies before Pittman and Lambeth each scored during the first 82 seconds of the final period. That 4-0 run in favor of the Diplomats cut the lead to 17-11 before Middlebury was able to regain its footing defensively in the 22-13 final. Cassilly and Maddy Birch tallied the final two goals of the afternoon for F&M.

F&M was outstanding on the draw during the first quarter as it doubled up the Panthers with a 6-3 edge in the early possessions. Madison Bray and Ava Turner both had three draw controls to lead that category for the Diplomats which ultimately ended with a 21-18 advantage in favor of Middlebury. Defensively, Abbi Boehl caused two of F&M's seven turnovers which included 12 Middlebury turnovers on the afternoon. Alyssa Moran made eight saves during a very busy afternoon in front of her before Molly Donatelli made one last save during her time on the field.

Friday's Final Four appearance was the Diplomats' first since back-to-back appearances in the national semifinals during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Franklin & Marshall was making its 12th appearance all-time in the national semifinals – nine of which have come during the NCAA era. Closing the year with an 18-5 record, the Diplomats will certainly have plenty of momentum to build on as they have won two of the last three Centennial Conference Championships and have made the NCAA Tournament every year of head coach Mike Faith's tenure in Lancaster.