NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Franklin & Marshall's No. 10 field hockey team's 2-1 victory over No. 9 Montclair State on Saturday afternoon gives the Diplomats their second-straight Elite Eight appearance.
The Diplomats improved to 17-3 while the Red Hawks finish their year at 16-4.
Montclair State was first on the board with a tipped shot by Kelly Watson in the 14th minute.
F&M kept the offensive pressure and Erin Coverdale was able to even the score just over 10 minutes later with a shot from the middle of the circle to bring the score to 1-1.
The Red Hawks looked to take the lead going to the break with a penalty corner in the 27th minute, but Ilianna Santangelo came out with the save to keep the score even at the break.
The Diplomats controlled possession to start the second half with Montclair State not registering any shots in the first 15 minutes.
F&M's pressure paid off in the 60th minute as Nicole Bodo gave the Diplomats the game-winning goal deflecting a pass from Coverdale into the back of the cage.
F&M led in shots 9-6 and dominated in penalty corners at 9-2. Santangelo tallied one save on the day while Montclair State's Kaitlin Maguire came out with five.
The Diplomats take on No. 8 Kean, after their upset win over No. Christopher Newport, Sunday at 1:00 p.m. looking to make their first Final Four appearance since 1983.