LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall men's lacrosse team opened Centennial Conference play with a 7-5 victory against Ursinus. The Diplomats (7-2, 1-0 CC) – a team receiving votes in the latest United State Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) national poll – scored four times in the fourth quarter to win what was a defensive battle for much of the afternoon.
Charlie Bernicker put the Diplomats up for good when his goal at the 7:28 mark of the fourth quarter gave the hosts a 5-4 lead. Just forty seconds later, Mason Montrella tallied before Eli Crystal provided the insurance goal with 29 seconds left in regulation. Seven different Diplomats scored in the victory, but the main headliners were certainly the defense as reigning Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week Teddy Scarborough stopped nine of the 14 shots he faced. The F&M defense additionally caused 14 of the Bears' 23 turnovers, with Owen Hire (3 CTs) and Jackson Barnhill (2 CTs) both forcing multiple giveaways in the victory.
F&M posted a 44-28 advantage in shots for the contest, including a 16-3 edge during the opening 15 minutes. However, Ursinus goalie Colin Daroch provided a formidable test in the crease as he made 15 saves throughout the afternoon. Goals from Ryan Roberts and Preston Blue during the first quarter gave the Diplomats a 2-0 lead as they did not surrender a goal until the 10:31 mark of the third quarter.
Carrying that 2-0 lead into the second half, the Bears countered by scoring four of their five goals during the third quarter of the play. That included three consecutive goals during the final 2:35 of the quarter which gave the visitors a 4-3 lead heading to the final 15 minutes, with Jack Luviano tallying for the home squad in the period.
Trailing for the only time all afternoon, the Diplomats used a 4-1 fourth quarter advantage to swing the conference opener back in their favor. Dylan Reese knotted the score at four-all just over a minute into the final quarter to spark a 3-0 run that led to the aforementioned goals which solidified the victory. The Diplomats certainly added to their shot advantage with a 13-4 edge over the final 15 minutes as they scored on four of their seven shots on goal that period.
F&M's defense limited Ursinus to just 18-of-26 on its clear attempts to overcome the Bears' advantage at the face-off X. The ground ball battle went slightly to the hosts by a 26-25 score, with eight different Diplomats collecting multiple loose balls.
Off to a 1-0 start in Centennial Conference play, the Diplomats will be back at home this coming Wednesday, March 26 for a 7 p.m. start under the lights against Haverford.
