YORK, Pa. – The eighth-ranked York College women's lacrosse team put forth a valiant effort in a top-10 showdown with third-ranked Franklin & Marshall, but the Spartans eventually came up on the short end of a 9-8 decision in favor of the Diplomats on Thursday afternoon at Kinsley Field.

The Basics:

Game Number: 2

Site: Kinsley Field – York, Pa.

Records: York (1-1) / F&M (1-0)

Series: F&M leads 6-0

How it happened:

• The Dips stormed out to a 3-0 lead early in the first half. Katie Groenke tallied two goals on the opening 3-0 run for F&M, while Paige Moriarty recorded two points on a goal and an assist.
• Claudia DiVenti stopped the Diplomat run as she put the Spartans on the board for the first time, but F&M responded right back as Maddie Hughes put the Dips ahead again by three goals, 4-1.
• The Spartans then responded with a goal less than a minute later, which sparked a 3-0 run that eventually tied the game 4-4. Rachel Saks tallied the first two goals on that run and Caitlin Rankin added the third.
• After trailing by one heading into halftime, York tied the game up again early in the second half on a goal by Katelyn Cattrano, who received an assist from Rankin.
• The Diplomats answered right back and then added on two more goals to take an 8-5 lead as they recorded their second three-goal run of the day.
• Then the Spartans countered with their second three-goal run of the game to tie the score 8-8 with 5:48 left to play. Melissa Meehling, Saks and Diventi produced goals on that run.
• The Diplomat tandem of Groenke and Moriarty paid off one more time F&M as this time Groenke set up Moriarty for a goal with 5:07 left, which went on to stand as the game-winner.
• The Spartans had possession and an opportunity to score late, but a turnover on their final possession led to a successful clear by the Diplomats, who then ran out the clock on the other end.

Spartan Leaders:

Rachel Saks – 3 points on 3 goals (1-1 on FPS), 1 ground ball, 1 draw control

Claudia DiVenti – 2 points on 2 goals, 4 draw controls, 2 ground balls

Caitlin Rankin – 2 points on 1 goal and 1 assist

Melissa Meehling – 4 ground balls, 3 caused turnovers, 1 goal

Nicole Clauter – 3 draw controls, 1 caused turnover

Diplomat Leaders:

Paige Moriarty – 4 points on 3 goals and 1 assist

Katie Groenke – 3 points on 2 goals and 1 assist, 1 ground ball

Samantha Blicht – 3 ground balls, 3 caused turnovers

Peyton Annese – 2 draw controls

Goalie Comparison

Danielle Harrington (F&M) – 60:00, 5 saves, 8 GA, Win (1-0)

Charlotte Wright (YCP) – 60:00, 5 saves, 9 GA, Loss (1-1)

Game Notes:

• F&M extends its win streak to 6-0 all-time against York since meeting for first time on March 6, 2012.
• It's the third time in series history a game has been deiced by one goal (10-9 – 2013, 7-6 – 2012, 9-8 – 2016).
• Rachel Saks tied a career-high with three goals. She now has five goals through two games this season. She finished with 10 goals last season.
• Melissa Meehling set a new career-high with four ground balls and tied a career-high with three caused turnovers. She currently leads the team in caused turnovers this season with four.

What's Next:

York returns to action on Wednesday in a non-conference home contest against No. 14 Messiah College at 3:30 p.m.

Rachel Saks photo courtesy of Joe Rodgers