LANCASTER, Pa.–Playing on the road against a nationally-ranked opponent, the Swarthmore College field hockey team (4-3, 0-1 CC) fought valiantly, but fell 2-0 to the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats in its Centennial Conference opener on Saturday, Sep. 17.

Sophomore goalkeeper Zelda Bank registered 10 saves and stood tall between the pipes, facing 25 shots on the afternoon. F&M held a 21-3 advantage in penalty corners, but did not find the back of the net until right before the end of the first half when a penalty stroke was awarded to Colleen Francis.

Early in the second half, Swarthmore had an opportunity to equalize with a penalty stroke of its own, but a save was made by the Diplomats' Ilianna Santangelo. F&M doubled its lead at 62:13 off a deflection and although Ursula Monaghan put a shot on goal in the 68th minute, Swarthmore was held off the scoreboard and fell to 4-3 on the season.

The Garnet host nonconference opponent Albright at Clothier Field on Thursday, Sep. 22.