ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall men's lacrosse team played its final road game of the 2024 season on Saturday as the Diplomats fell to host Muhlenberg by an 11-4 final in Allentown.

Muhlenberg got out to the early 3-0 lead with the only goals of the opening period. Muhlenberg scored its first goal just 1:03 into regulation, but a strong F&M defense held the Mules off the board until the 2:10 mark of the opening quarter before the hosts scored twice in that remaining time.

A man-up goal from Kai Kelly got the Diplomats on the board to start the second period as he took a feed from Jack Luviano. When the Mules did score, they seemed to do in runs as they added the next four before Kelly tallied his second goal of the afternoon late in the third.

The Diplomats added their final two goals during the fourth quarter courtesy of Ryan Connelly and Mason Montrella in the eventual 11-4 final. Both teams made 16 saves as Muhlenberg held a 39-28 advantage in total shots. Sage Garito got the start in goal and stopped nearly 60 percent of the shots he faced over his full 60 minutes of work.

The Mules held just slight advantages in ground balls (37-34) and faceoff victories as both Garito and Adam Soper collected a team-leading four ground balls. Pierce Archer, Matt Melkonian, and Owen Hire added three ground balls to F&M's day. Archer additionally caused two turnovers as the Diplomats forced eight giveaways in total.

Men's lacrosse will wrap up its 2024 season this coming Friday, April 26 as the team celebrates Senior Day against McDaniel under the lights of Shadek Stadium at 6 p.m.