BALTIMORE, Md. – The Franklin & Marshall men's soccer team fell to first-place Johns Hopkins in a very physical battle Saturday afternoon. The physical play would ultimately end up costing the Diplomats as they had a player receive a second yellow card with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation time and eventually surrendered the only goal of the afternoon during the 86th minute with only 10 players on the field.
Connor Wilkes' fourth goal of the season provided the game-winner for the Blue Jays with just 4:43 left in regulation time as JHU improved to 5-0-1 in Centennial Conference action. The Diplomats defended admirably for the majority of the contest as Diego Moreno finished with five saves while the F&M defense allowed just 11 total shots.
Franklin & Marshall's shot on goal was the first of the contest for either team as Nico Gonzalez was denied on his scoring attempt just over three minutes into the contest. Moreno made four of his five saves during the opening half and thwarted another scoring attempt during the 50th minute of play before the hosts finally got on the board late in regulation time. Nico Palacios tallied the other shot attempt for Franklin & Marshall during the second half when his attempt missed wide during the 79th minute.
Men's soccer has three matches remaining to get itself into a playoff position. Two of those final three matches are at home, with the first of those contests being this Wednesday, October 21 against Ursinus. That Centennial Conference match up is set for a 7 p.m. start under the lights of Tylus Field.
