LANCASTER, Pa. – Something had to give Wednesday afternoon as undefeated squads Franklin & Marshall and Colby met inside Shadek Stadium. Unfortunately, it was the third-ranked Diplomats (8-1) who suffered their first defeat of the 2025 season by a 9-7 score against the No. 5 Mules (6-0).

Locked in a defensive battle for much of the first half, Colby built its lead to 5-2 during the opening periods. The Diplomats got the game down a one-goal deficit on multiple occasions, but could never find the equalizer down the stretch as five goals from Colby's Julia Jardina proved too much to overcome.

Lauren Pittman led F&M's attack with three goals of her own, including the game's opening tally just 33 seconds into the first quarter. Lydia Cassilly scored on the player advantage later that period, but a disadvantage goal from Colby gave the Mules a 3-2 lead after 15 minutes.

Just like Colby had scored despite being down a player near the end of the first quarter, F&M would do the same with Devyn Crone to make the contest a 5-3 battle at the break. Pittman also opened the scoring in the second half while goals from Crone and Myranda Beebe made it two more occasions where the Diplomats had a chance to even the score, but the Mules scored the first two goals of the fourth quarter to add some insurance before Pittman completed her hat trick with 4:15 left in regulation to round out the game's scoring.

Franklin & Marshall finished with a 28-24 advantage in shots, while the Mules held a 16-10 edge in shots on goal. Two-time Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week Sara DiGiovanni made seven saves in the top-five showdown. The Diplomats also held a 13-6 edge in draw controls, with Belle Dintino and Pittman each winning the possession five times for their side.

Women's lacrosse will now have one week before the Diplomats return to Centennial Conference action against rival Gettysburg. The Bullets are currently ranked fourth in the latest Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Poll.