March 11, 2008

LANCASTER, Pa. - Franklin & Marshall's women's lacrosse team will host Nihon University's women's lacrosse team in an international exhibition this Thursday evening. The opening draw is slated for 7:30 p.m. The game will be aired live over B2 Networks, F&M's broadband broadcast partner on the web.

The game will mark the second time in three years Franklin & Marshall has hosted a Japanese team. The Diplomats faced Meiji University during the fall schedule two seasons ago. Zag Sports of Lawrenceville, N.J. arranged both meetings. The Diplomats' head coach, Anne Phillips, is currently working with Zag Sports to develop a mini-semester trip to Australia for F&M's field hockey and women's lacrosse teams.

"The college stresses the importance of international exchange programs," said Phillips. "Our goal is to grow student-athletes that will succeed in a shrinking global society. By providing our players with the opportunity to interact with different cultures in a setting familiar to both sides, we bridge the cultural gap and create an environment conducive to growing a better understanding of the world."

Franklin & Marshall College is home of the defending Division III National Champions. The Diplomats are currently 2-0, and remain ranked number one in the nation.

The mission of Nihon University is to develop cultured people who are sound of mind and body and conduct in-depth academic research by gathering a broad range of knowledge from around the world.