The McDaniel College women’s soccer team played Franklin and Marshall to a 1-1 draw on Nov. 3 at the Soccer Complex in Westminster, Md., before the Diplomats advanced 4-2 on penalty kicks in the first round of the Centennial Conference Women’s Soccer Championship.
McDaniel College finished the game with a 9-3-6 record, while Franklin and Marshall finished 8-4-4 and advanced to the conference tournament semifinals. The teams remained tied through regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods before the penalty-kick shootout.
Alaina Miller Gives Early Lead
Alaina Miller scored McDaniel’s goal in the 22nd minute, converting her team-leading eighth goal of the season. Hariette Ngwatung assisted on the play.
Franklin and Marshall answered in the 39th minute when Emily Cook scored her first goal of the season. Kyra Magerko recorded the assist, and the teams entered halftime tied 1-1.
Franklin and Marshall Wins Shootout
Franklin and Marshall finished with a 22-10 advantage in shots and an 11-4 edge in shots on goal. McDaniel goalkeeper Sierra Ruehl made a career-high 10 saves, including five in the first half.
In the penalty-kick shootout, Franklin and Marshall held a 3-1 lead before senior Peyton Viggiano scored for McDaniel in the fourth round to keep the Green Terror alive. However, Liz King then scored for Franklin and Marshall, sending the Diplomats to the Centennial Conference tournament semifinals at Johns Hopkins on Friday, with a final shootout score of 4-2.
McDaniel Awaits ECAC Selection
The game marked McDaniel’s fourth time hosting a home game in the Centennial Conference Women’s Soccer Championship in the last five years. The Green Terror remained unbeaten in eight of nine home games this season.
McDaniel will await selections for the 2026 ECAC Division III Women’s Soccer Championship. The selection process will determine who, when, and where the team will play next.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
McDaniel received goal contributions from Alaina Miller and a career-high 10-save performance from Sierra Ruehl, but Franklin and Marshall advanced after the shootout. The result ended McDaniel’s run in the Centennial Conference tournament and left the Green Terror awaiting the ECAC Division III championship selection.
Source: Original report
