LANCASTER, Pa. – In a matchup of the final two undefeated teams in Centennial Conference action, the Franklin & Marshall men's lacrosse team (7-4, 2-1 CC) dropped a 14-9 battle at home against Washington College (9-2, 3-0 CC) on Saturday afternoon. The Diplomats had a 3-0 lead, but six goals in a span of just over three minutes later in that opening quarter helped pace the Shoremen to victory.

Jack Luviano led the F&M attack with four goals as five Diplomats found their way onto the scoresheet. However, Nate Winters had six tallies for the Shoremen to lead them to victory despite a 50-36 advantage in shots for the Diplomats. Shoremen goalie Keegan Dunn turned away 15 shots on the afternoon to move to a perfect 4-0 on the season.

Dylan Reese took a feed from Luviano to open the 3-0 run shortly after the opening whistle. Ben Dale set up Liam Timmins to make it 2-0 before Dale scored just over a minute later as F&M had the momentum early. The tide quickly changed as Winters scored three of his team's six goals during a span of just 3:48. Matt Marino finished an unassisted goal just one minute later to break the run, but WAC ultimately held a 7-4 advantage following the high-paced opening period.

Luviano got his team back within a single goal as he scored twice in just 57 seconds during the second period, but three straight goals from the visitors helped them take a 10-7 lead into the locker room despite Nick Dotro's goal with three seconds to go before the break.

With 17 goals during the first 30 minutes, both defenses began to find their footing during the second half. Unfortunately, that pace favored the Shoremen with their first half lead. Luviano scored for the third time to make the game 11-8 in the third, but he was the only Diplomat to beat WAC's defense in the second half after adding another goal during the final period.

Washington College finished with a 46-31 advantage in ground balls, with F&M taking a 14-12 advantage in possessions at the face-off X. Owen Krause won six faceoffs, with four more from both Connor Traynor and Luca Hoffman. Liam Timmins led F&M with five ground balls. Teddy Scarborough also finished with double digit saves to turn away multiple chances for the Shoremen.

Men's lacrosse now has a week to prepare for its next Centennial Conference matchup as McDaniel visits Shadek Stadium on Saturday, April 4 in a 12 p.m. start.