LANCASTER, Pa. – The No. 19 Franklin & Marshall field hockey team (0-1) fell in its season opener against Susquehanna (1-0), 1-0, in Friday evening's non-conference matchup at Tylus Field. With both teams playing stingy defense throughout the contest, the River Hawks converted on a penalty corner attempt with 48 seconds on the clock to win the game.

F&M had the first opportunity to break into the scoring column with four minutes left in the opening half. The Diplomats worked the ball in deep to Caitlin Hoover, who made a move around the diving Susquehanna goalkeeper. Hoover sent her shot towards the net, but the attempt was batted away by a River Hawk defender – extinguishing the threat.

The Diplomats worked four total penalty corners in the fourth period, but Susquehanna's defense clogged the shooting lanes and eliminated any good looks F&M managed to generate. F&M's defense stood tall to begin the quarter as Jorja Pastore came up with a huge save on a Susquehanna penalty corner to keep the game scoreless with eight minutes left. Franklin & Marshall tallied two shots in the final six minutes of regulation, but both skated just wide of the cage.

The Diplomats outshot the River Hawks, 11-5, in the contest with Hoover recording four.

Franklin & Marshall looks to bounce back with a tough road matchup Sunday when the Diplomats travel to play No. 15 Christopher Newport at 11:00 a.m.