SWARTHMORE, Pa. – The Swarthmore College field hockey team dropped its regular season finale to No. 15 Franklin and Marshall College, 2-1, at Clothier Field Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
It was a back-and-forth affair with the Diplomats holding a slim 8-7 advantage in shots and a 6-4 count in penalty corners. The visitors took a 2-0 lead with goals in the first and third quarters. The Garnet cut the deficit to one on an Erin Coyle tally in the fourth but were unable to score the equalizer.
 
Swarthmore ends the regular season in fourth place in the Centennial Conference and will host fifth-seeded Haverford College in the Centennial First Round on Tuesday night.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Neither side was able to record a shot until the 12^th minute but F&M made the first attempt count, taking a 1-0 lead on a transition goal. Coyle had the Garnet's lone shot of the opening period two minutes later but it was stopped by the goalkeeper.
 
- In the second, Coyle again had another shot turned aside in the 20^th minute. Cassandra Conklin came up with two big saves in the Swarthmore cage in the 22^nd minute to keep her team within one. Annika Hoyer put another shot on frame in the 27^th minute but it was kept out to keep the score 1-0 at the half.
 
- The Diplomats were awarded a penalty stroke with 4:18 left in the third quarter and they converted to double their lead. Conklin recorded her third save of the contest late in the stanza to keep the Garnet within striking distance entering the fourth.
 
- Swarthmore finally broke through with 9:33 to play in the final quarter. Liza Semenenko dribbled the ball into the circle in transition and connected with Coyle. The sophomore had a clear shot at the cage and put it past the keeper to make it 2-1.
 
- The Garnet did not allow a shot the rest of the way as they looked to even it up. Swarthmore nearly had a breakaway opportunity but the F&M goalkeeper was able to race to the loose ball and kick it out of harm's way. The Garnet were not able to generate another chance in the final minutes.
 
GARNET LEADERS
Goals: Coyle 1
Assists: Semenenko 1
Shots: Coyle 3
Shots on Goal: Coyle 3
Saves: Conklin 3
 
UP NEXT
Swarthmore (10-8) takes on Haverford in the opening round of the Centennial Tournament on Tuesday.