LANCASTER, Pa.- A third-quarter penalty stroke for #5 Johns Hopkins proved the decider as the Franklin & Marshall field hockey team was defeated 1-0 in the 2024 regular season finale. 
Meghan Dole saved 11 of the 12 shots she faced in goal, setting a new season-high for saves. She ends the regular season tied for the second-best save percentage (.813) and holds the most shutouts (5) among Centennial goalkeepers.

The first quarter was quiet in terms of scoring chances, with the Blue Jays outshooting F&M 3-1. Caitlin Hoover registered F&M's first shot of the game two minutes in. The Blue Jays tested Dole three more times in the second period, again outshooting the Diplomats 3-1.

Johns Hopkins returned from the break with four shots in the first five minutes. In the 38th minute, the Blue Jays drew a foul in front of the Diplomats' goal to earn a penalty stroke. The Johns Hopkins player slotted the ball low and to the keeper's left to get on the board. 

The Blue Jays pressed for more, with eight shots and three penalty corners over the next four minutes, but the score remained 1-0 with 15 minutes to play. Hannah Fitzgerald forced a save off a penalty corner with two minutes to go in the third quarter.

F&M contained the Blue Jays to two shots in the fourth quarter, while they registered three chances of their own in the final minute. Miller looked to deflect a long-range set-piece pass but missed left with 30 seconds to go, Fitzgerald had a close range-shot saved with seven seconds left, then Hoover's last-gasp penalty-corner shot with a second to go was saved.

The Diplomats begin the Centennial Conference playoffs as the #4 seed and will host the tournament's #5 seed (TBD) this Tuesday, November 5.