LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 match in its first official contest of the 2026 season. After seeing its first scheduled match canceled due to lightning earlier this week, the Diplomats and visiting Generals were nearly even in total shots, but W&L was able to emerge with the non-conference victory.
Washington and Lee scored the first goal of the game on a penalty kick as the Diplomats were whistled for a foul in the box. Sami Seife finished that first great chance for either side during the 28th minute of play. Franklin & Marshall created multiple chances to try and even the match, but saw a first attempt stopped by Washington and Lee's goalie before a later shot traveled over the crossbar during the 32nd minute of action. The Generals would eventually counter and found their second goal of the night as Justin Ceccanecchio took a pass from Kaden Zion during the 35th minute of action.
Both teams finished the opening half with five shots, but two saves from W&L's keeper helped to turn away any threats from the Diplomats. F&M got off four more shots during the second half of the physical contest, but was unable to get any of those attempts on target. Nico Palacios and Ellis Boyle both finished the match with multiple shot attempts for the home side. Diego Moreno made three saves during his 90 minutes in goal to pace the Diplomats' defensive efforts.
Franklin & Marshall will continue its homestand to open the 2026 season as the Diplomats welcome Vassar to Tylus Field on Sunday, September 6 for a 1 p.m. start. That match in just two days will ma/k the first-ever meeting in program history between the two sides.
