Game Notes

Last Week

Franklin & Marshall will be looking to get back in the win column against a pair of nationally-ranked opponents after a 9-3 defeat at the hands of Muhlenberg. It was an incredible defensive effort from the Mules who took the Centennial Conference contest by a 9-3 final. Despite the final shot total ending in just a 32-26 advantage for the visiting Mules, F&M was held without a goal until the fourth quarter by Muhlenberg goalie Max Kunnath who finished the contest with eight of his team's 10 saves.

F&M goalie Teddy Scarborough finished the day with 14 saves, as he made seven of those stops during the third quarter as Muhlenberg tallied just one during the first and third periods. Both teams won eight face-offs during Saturday's Centennial Conference contest. Owen Krause's three ground balls came after winning six of his eight face-off attempts. Connor Traynor added a 2-for-7 day at the X.

Last Time vs. Dickinson

The Diplomats were handed a 13-6 setback at the hands of No. 7 Dickinson under the lights of Shadek Stadium during the 2024 season. The nationally-ranked Red Devils and Diplomats were separated by just one goal before the visitors from Carlisle scored eight of the next 10 to take control of the Centennial Conference contest.

Six different players scored for the Diplomats, with defender Jackson Barnhill striking for the first goal of F&M's night at the 5:57 mark of the opening period. Mason Montrella got the game to the aforementioned 3-2 score off a feed from Dillon Mannix with 25 seconds to go in the first quarter, but the Red Devils stole that momentum back with a goal just two seconds prior to the period expiring. Dickinson finished with a 47-33 advantage in shots as both teams saw their respective goalies make 10 saves. Sage Garito made nine stops in 54 minutes of action before Teddy Scarborough made one additional save during the final six minutes. Kevin O'Connor aided the defensive effort with three caused turnovers, while Luke Topley added two more. Those two players were also second and third on the team in ground balls, trailing only Adam Soper who collected five ground balls after winning seven face-offs.

Last Time vs. Swarthmore

Franklin & Marshall gave then-No. 15 Swarthmore all it could handle in 2024 as the Diplomats and Garnet were tied at five all midway through the third quarter before the Garnet scored five of the last seven goals during the 10-7 final. The Diplomats finished with a 50-41 advantage in shots and 25-22 edge in shots on goal, but 18 saves from Swarthmore goalie Drew Tyson proved pivotal in turning away the Diplomats. Sage Garito made 12 saves of his own for F&M who also held the advantage in ground balls (38-31) and face off victories (12-9).

Franklin & Marshall combined for 27 shots during the second half, but eight Swarthmore saves during that time kept the Diplomats from coming any closer as the Garnet added the final goal of the afternoon with just over two minutes to play. Mannix, Kelly, and Russell each scored two goals for the Diplomats, with Mannix adding one assist for a team-high three points. Adam Soper collected a game-high seven ground balls as he won 12 of the 21 face offs on Saturday. Both Owen Hire and John Bolognesi caused two turnovers to aid the defensive effort.

Dickinson Preview

The first of three nationally-ranked opponents on the F&M slate to close the regular season. The Red Devils and Diplomats are tied for second place in the Centennial Conference standings with identical 4-1 marks in league play. Dickinson has been ranked as high as 10th in the nation this year and suffered its only CC defeat of the year at Gettysburg in 13-12 overtime battle. Landon Hyatt leds the team with 31 goals on the year as four different players have reached double figures in goals. The Red Devils have a very strong face-off presence with Ben Trucksess having won 61.5 percent of his restarts to go along with 95 ground balls. Rocco Bognet has seen the majority of the action in goal where he is stopping 47.7 percent of the shots on goal his is facing while allowing just 9.54 goals per game.

Swarthmore Preview

Another team that looks poised for a return to the Centennial Conference Tornament, the nationally-ranked Garnet have been as high as No. 11 in the national polls and are No. 17 in this week's release. With their only losses coming to Dickinson and Gettysburg, the matchup versus the Diplomats will loom large as both teams try to lock up a first round bye in the conference playoffs. Eight players have recorded at least 10 goals this season for the high-powered offense. Michael Hardiman leads the way with 41 goals, while Clary Almgren has 37 goals and 37 assists for a team-leading 74 points. As a team, Swarthmore has won 68.6 percent of its face-offs this year. Matthew Martinez has won 125 face-offs while Jack McHenry is just about to cross triple figures as he enters the contest with 97 restart victories. Tyson Drew has started all but one game in goal this season and is allowing 7.14 goals per game and stopping nearly 70 percent of the shots that he has faced.

Centennial Conference Leaders from Franklin & Marshall (Top 10)

Goals
t-9. Kai Kelly - 26

Assists
8. Preston Blue - 19

Shots
4. Ka Kelly - 121

Goals Against Average
1. Teddy Scarborough - 6.64

Save Percentage
2. Teddy Scarborough - .650

Saves Per Game
3. Teddy Scarborough - 12.0