Feb. 23, 2008

Box Score

LANCASTER, Pa. - The Todd Cavallaro era at Franklin & Marshall began on a winning note as the Diplomats exploded for four early goals on Elmira. F&M (1-0) opened the game with a 7-1 run in the first quarter, and held on to hand the Soaring Eagles (1-1) their first loss of the season, 13-7.

The first of Peter Moon's five goals marked the first lacrosse goal scored at Franklin & Marshall's new turf facility, the North Campus Athletic Field. He needed just 1:05 of the game to find his first tally. Two minutes later, Mark Hild collected a pass from freshman Jeff Ritter and finished for the first of his pair on the day. He later netted the game-winning goal early in the second period.

Five different players scored on F&M's decisive run. Elmira struggled on the clear in that stretch, failing on five of their seven first quarter attempts, leaving keeper Geoffrey Lane out to dry. The besieged keeper settled in the second period, as did the Soaring Eagles transition. Lane stopped six F&M advances in the second quarter, keeping it 8-4 heading into the half. Lane finished the day with 12 saves.

Elmira cut it as close as 9-5 in the third quarter when Brandon Brennan found the net with 11:44 left. Five minutes later, Moon took the lead back to five, 10-5 on an assist from Sean Oliver. Four minutes later, Oliver set up Noah Wilkinsky for one of F&M's three extra-man goals on the afternoon. Oliver finished the game with three helpers.

Elmira failed to capitalize on either of its one-minute extra-man opportunities in the second half. Both came in the fourth quarter while it was a six-goal game.

F&M split keepers with Chris Marcozzi worked the first half recording four saves and allowing three goals. Danny Coffman worked the second half with five saves and three goals allowed.

Franklin & Marshall returns to action on Tuesday when the Diplomats host Lycoming. That 7:00 p.m. game will be streamed live on the web over B2 Networks.