WESTMINSTER, Md. - Despite allowing the game's first goal, No. 25 Franklin & Marshall scored three unanswered goals in a 3-1 victory over the McDaniel College men's soccer team Saturday at the Soccer Complex on Homecoming.
The Green Terror (3-3-4, 1-3 CC) lost for just the second time in seven home games this season.
McDaniel put pressure on the Diplomats from the first whistle. Both teams were physical with five yellow cards were handed out over the course of the game.
The Green Terror stayed in rhythm and pushed the ball into Franklin & Marshall territory. In the 27th minute, sophomore
AJ Nordone gained possession just outside the box and curled one in towards the goal where it deflected off a Diplomat defender, putting the Green Terror up 1-0 in the 28th minute.
McDaniel maintained its one-goal lead into halftime, thanks in part to the strong defensive play from juniors
Jared Edge and
Matt Bowes on the back line. The potent Diplomats offense was held to just one shot on goal in the first half which was saved by graduate student
Austin Heid.
Heid was strong behind the net, with five saves on the day.
The Diplomats (7-1-2, 2-0-2 CC) came out strong to start the second period, earning a free kick just outside the box in the 53rd minute. Nathan Schlessinger stepped up and sent a low driving shot that would find its way inside the near post to tie the game at 1-1.
McDaniel regrouped and setup a chance to take the lead in the 68th minute when Nordone drew a foul inside the box for a penalty kick. Junior
Brandon Morse lined up the shot and drove it towards the top right corner, but the Diplomats keeper guessed right and made the save to keep the scored tied.
Four minutes later, Franklin & Marshall took the lead on a goal by Oscar Horowitz.
McDaniel had a few shots late, but could not convert before the Diplomats added an insurance tally on a broken play to provide the final margin.
The Green Terror have the week to prepare for their match next Saturday, Oct. 7 at Dickinson. The match is scheduled for 5 p.m.