ANNVILLE, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall men's lacrosse team – a squad currently receiving votes in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) national poll – won all four quarters during a 17-7 triumph at Lebanon Valley on Saturday. The Diplomats have now won their season opener during each of the last six seasons, the second-longest such streak in program history (1999-05).
Twelve different Diplomats recorded a point during the season-opening victory. Leading the way was the stellar debut of transfer Ben Dale who tallied six points, with three goals and three assists in his first time donning the royal blue. Liam Timmins and Jack Luviano also recorded hat tricks on the day to pace the scoring.
The host Flying Dutchmen had early 1-0 and 2-1 leads during the first five minutes of the 2026 season, but a 6-0 run from the Diplomats gave them a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the afternoon. Mason Montrella recorded both of his goals during the first period while Luviano additionally tallied a pair of goals during the run. Max Kukuy scored his first collegiate goal in the midst of that powerful attack, with Timmins and Dylan Reese capping the run which gave F&M a 7-2 lead just seconds into the second quarter.
Even after Lebanon Valley snapped the 6-0 run, the Diplomats were unfazed and scored nine of the next 11 goals after that to extend the lead to 15-5 midway through the fourth quarter. Dale started the final rampant scoring stretch and tallied all three of his goals during the extended run. Alex Pilling, Timmins (twice), Luviano, Jackson Barnhill, and Carter Connors also played a scoring role in the visitors jumping ahead by double digits. LVC got the game down to nine, but Preston Blue's first goal of the season made it an even 10-goal victory as the time expired.
As the score indicated, F&M controlled the pace of play and out shot the Flying Dutchmen by a 49-32 total. The Diplomats also held a 35-19 advantage in ground balls and won 13 of the 24 face-offs. Owen Hire had a big day with five ground balls and one caused turnover, with Alex Fraser just off his pace with four GBs and one forced takeaway. Owen Krause and Luca Hoffman had the most success at X. Krause won six of his eight restarts, while Hoffman was 5-for-7 during his collegiate debut. Although the attack was the story of the day, the Diplomats' goalies combined to make 16 saves while stopping nearly 70 percent of the shots they faced. Reigning CC Defensive Player of the Year Teddy Scarborough got the start and recorded the win in the cage.
Off to a 1-0 start, the Diplomats will play their home opener this Tuesday, February 17 at 7 p.m. under the Shadek Stadium lights. That will be the first of two home games during the second week of the regular season schedule.
