SWARTHMORE, Pa.—Swarthmore College Field Hockey challenged the No. 4 team in the nation on Saturday afternoon, the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats. While the Diplomats came away with the win in the first conference game of the year, the Garnet limited the visitors to just three goals thanks to 16 saves by goalkeeper Ainsley Parrish and defensive saves by Katherine Ianni and Jane Blicher. The Garnet held the Diplomats to just one goal in the first half before ultimately falling by a 3-0 count.

Swarthmore had a hard time working its way into the attacking end in order to generate scoring opportunities. The only shot the Garnet recorded came in the 33rd minute from forward Erin Gluck who broke through F&M's midfield and defense with some clever dribbling and then snapped off a shot on the run that skittered wide of the goal.

The Diplomats controlled the time of possession and took 20 corners and 33 shots. However, the strong performance by Parrish kept the Garnet in the game. Her 16 saves were two-shy of her career record set last season. Blicher added a defensive save in the 9th minute and Ianni contributed her defensive save in the 25th minute.

With the loss, Swarthmore falls to 1-4 on the season and 0-1 in the Centennial Conference. The Diplomats improved to 5-1 (1-0 Centennial).

Swarthmore travels to Albright College on Thursday for a non-conference game and then returns to Centennial play on Saturday at Dickinson College.