St. Mary's City, Md.- The Franklin & Marshall women's soccer team (1-0-1) claimed their first win of the 2026 season, defeating hosts St. Mary's (1-1), 1-0, thanks to
Meg Balerna's 41st minute set-piece header.Â
Balerna's goal was assisted by
Amanda Nemeth, while
Ellison Errington (3 SOG) and
Emerson McDonald (4 SH, 1 SOG) led F&M's chance creation throughout the contest.
Lucy Fleming had to make just one save to earn her first shutout of 2026.
F&M forced four saves in the opening 20 minutes including a pair of shots on goal from Errington. The team's next shot on goal came via Balerna's goal in the 41st minute via a Nemeth corner. Her set-piece delivery to the far post found Balerna, who got goal-side of her marker for an open-look finish at the near post. The Diplomats outshot their opponents, 9-1 in the first 45.
The second half featured just two chances on goal, as Fleming was forced into her lone save in the 63rd minute and Errington forced another stop in the 84th minute.
For the second-straight game, the Diplomats created the majority of the chances on goal, outshooting the Seahawks 13-3 in total shots and 6-1 in shots on goal.
The Diplomats return in the midweek to host York on Wednesday, September 9, at 4:30 p.m.
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