LANCASTER, PA – The Franklin & Marshall women's soccer team was awarded a penalty kick in the game's 77^th minute as they outlasted a determined York College Spartan squad 2-1 in the season opener for both squads.
The Spartans fall to 0-1 for the season as they have dropped their last five openers with the last three being one goal setbacks.
 
How It Happened
• The Diplomats had the better of the play in the opening 15 minutes of the game. They had the first shot and the first corner sandwiching a pair of offsides calls against York. The Diplomats opened the scoring in the 14^th minute of the match. The Dips drew a foul that earned them a free kick inside midfield. Mikaela Timmermans struck a crossing pass that found the head of Sierra Brophy as she deposited the ball in the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
• The Spartans picked up their offense pace in the final 13 minutes of the stanza as they put four shots on goal including a ball that was cleared off the line by a Diplomat defender.
• York came out the break and took the play to the Diplomats. Ashlynn Weger put a shot on goal just 40 seconds into the stanza that was saved by Emma Nolan. The Spartans continued to pressure the Diplomat defense and that pressure paid off as Anna Morton delivered a great pass to Makayla Harper off a failed Diplomat clear. Harper finished off the chance, tying the game in the 62^nd minute of play.
• The two teams continued to go back and forth over the next 12 minutes of play. The Diplomats got a break as Meg O'Callahan got behind the Spartan defense and drew a foul in the box. She was awarded a penalty kick and finished it off for the go-ahead tally. The Spartans were unable to net the equalizer as they dropped their second one-goal setback to the Diplomats in as many games.
 
Spartan Notes
York falls to 2-11 all-time against the Diplomats as F&M has won six straight in the series … York fell to F&M 1-0 in last year's opener as the Diplomats' lone goal came on a Meg O'Callahan penalty kick in the second half … York's last season opening win came in 2016 when they beat Fredonia 2-0 at Rowan … York out shot the Diplomats 12-10 over all and 8-5 in shots on goal … senior goalie Jacqueline Keogh made her first collegiate start and registered two saves … senior Makayla Harper notched her sixth career goal in the setback … Harper was second on the team in goals in 2021 … York had two players made their collegiate debut in the starting lineup as forward Julianna Schilling and midfielder Abby Brown started in the game while defenders Ryan Byle, Keziah Boyce and Riley Long each made their debuts coming off the bench for York.
 
Up Next
The Spartans make their 2022 home debut on Sunday night as they host Penn State Harrisburg in a non-conference contest at Graham Field. Kick-off is set for a 7:00 pm start.