No. 1 F&M Tops Beavers; No. 2 Gulls Next
from press release
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The same Diplomats that
chewed up the Beavers in the 2008 NCAA Tournament were busy gnawing
away at Babson once again Tuesday evening. Blake Hargest scored
five goals and assisted on five more, while Meredith Lussier added
four more goals to lead No. 1 Franklin & Marshall (4-0) to 16-5
win over No. 10 Babson (2-2).
When the two teams clashed in Lancaster in 2008, Hargest and
Lussier each scored four times to secure the win. The pair was at
it early and often on Tuesday. Hargest became the first Diplomat
laxer to roll up 10 points in a game since Alexia O'Meara scored
four goals and assisted on six others nearly five years ago to the
day. O'Meara turned that performance during a 16-2 win over Keene
State on the same field back on March 17, 2005.
Hargest's efforts on Tuesday mark the 13th time a Diplomat recorded
10 or more points in the program's history, and gave the Diplomats
a five-goal scorer for the second time in as many games. Lussier
scored five in last week's win at Rowan.
All four of Lussier's goals Tuesday night were scored in the first
half, helping the Diplomats to an 8-4 lead at the break. She also
added an assist to the Diplomats' effort. Lidia Sanza and her
defense limited the Beavers (2-2) to a single goal in the second
half. Sanza recorded five saves for F&M.
The Diplomats owned a 14-9 edge in draw controls, with first-year,
Maggie Mae Shields accounting for half of the possessions. She was
also one of seven players to score in the victory. Laura
Ruppersberger and Sarah Veneski each scored twice and assisted on
another. Erin Dunne scored once and assisted on three goals. Cat
Serpe also scored for F&M.
The win was the 25th for second year coach Lauren Paul, the 65th
for the senior class, the 360th for Franklin & Marshall, and
the second in as many meetings with Babson. The 11-goal edge gave
the Diplomats their third consecutive win by ten or more goals.
The Diplomats return to action on Saturday at No. 2 Salisbury.
