CHESTERTOWN — Sophomore Caroline Krisko’s first collegiate goal, in the 42nd minute, was the difference in Franklin & Marshall’s 1-0 victory at Washington on Saturday.
This was the Centennial Conference opener for both schools.
F&M (4-4) halted Washington’s three-game win streak.
The Diplomats led 22-5 in shots, but 16 saves from the Shore ladies (5-4) kept them close throughout.
The game was scoreless at halftime. Sophomore Charlotte Schurman (career-high 15 saves) was credited with six saves to offset F&M’s 9-1 advantage in shots. Also, Washington successfully defended five penalty corner opportunities in the opening 30 minutes.
Franklin & Marshall continued to apply most of the pressure in the second half, firing off 13 shots to Washington’s five.
MaryCate Anson had Washington’s only shot on goal in the 36th minute, which was turned away by keeper Meghan Dole.
The home team was down a player serving a two-minute penalty when Krisko scored, her shot ricocheting off of a Washington defender and into the back of the cage.
The Diplomats’ push for an insurance goal led to seven more shots during the fourth quarter. A defensive save by Jam Hutt-Robles in the 46th minute nullified F&M’s best chance of the final period.
Washington had two shots in the fourth quarter — in the 51st minute and with 43 seconds remaining. Both offerings sailed wide and did not require any action by Dole.
NEXT UP: Washington hosts McDaniel at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2.
Washington’s schedule from here on out is against Centennial Conference opponents.
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Five-time defending champion Johns Hopkins earned the top spot in the Centennial Conference preseason poll of head coaches, receiving all 10 possible first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team) and 100 points.
Swarthmore, the 2023 conference runner-up, was picked second with 88 points and the remaining first-place nod.
Franklin & Marshall (77) edged Bryn Mawr (73) and Ursinus (69) for third in the rankings.
Dickinson (52) was projected as the sixth and final playoff-bound team.
Muhlenberg (39), Washington (35), Haverford (32), Gettysburg (30) and McDaniel (10) rounded out the voting.