The 12th ranked University of Mary Washington field hockey team dropped a 3-2 decision to visiting fifth-ranked Franklin and Marshall College on Saturday in a hot and humid showdown at the Battleground. The Eagles slip to 2-2 on the season.

The Diplomats jumped on top early, as junior Sydney Cole put the Dips on the board at 30:22 remaining in the first. Cole added another tally 15 minutes later to put the guests ahead by two.

The Eagles responded with 12:50 remaining in the half, as freshman Lauren Hopkins scored on a Christine Loehr assist, to cut the deficit in half. The score stood at 2-1 at halftime.

In the second, Franklin & Marshall again notched an early goal, as Melanie Consiglio scored 4:34 into the half, to raise the margin to 3-1. From there, the Eagle defense tightened, and the Diplomats wouldn't find the back of the cage again.

UMW cut the deficit to 3-2 with a Loehr goal with 15:44 remaining after a deke off a penalty corner, but the Eagles couldn't find the tying marker.

The Eagles held a 14-13 edge in shots, as well as a 9-7 edge in penalty corners. UMW goalkeeper Jessica Cavolt had seven saves, while Ilianna Santangelo had seven for F&M.

The Eagles will be back in action on Tuesday when they visit Bridgewater College at 7:00 p.m.