The Muhlenberg men's soccer team dropped a wild 4-3 home game to 25th-ranked Franklin & Marshall.

The Mules (4-3-1, 1-2) overcame an early 1-0 deficit to take a 2-1 lead into the half. After the Diplomats (7-1, 2-1), who have played in the last four Centennial Conference finals, answered with three second-half goals, Muhlenberg drew back to within a goal in the last two minutes and took two corner kicks in the final 70 seconds, but could not get off a shot to tie the game.

It was the first time since 2016 that the Mules played a regulation game in which each team scored at least three goals. F&M came in having allowed only three goals all season.

F&M broke the ice just 5:30 into the game. Muhlenberg got a break to tie the score in the 29th minute, when senior Stephen Carton (pictured above) sent in a cross that was punched away by the Diplomat goalie. The ball riciocheted off the back of an F&M player and into the net for an own goal.

Just five minutes later, the Mules struck quickly to take their first lead. A long kick by junior goalie Brendan Duffy was played by senior Noam Davidov ahead to junior Tarin Morris, who tucked a shot inside the far post for his first goal as a Muhlenberg player.

The Diplomats scored twice in a span of 1:32 early in the second half, then appeared to put the game out of reach on a goal with 19:27 remaining.

Junior Taylan Akdag made things interesting by one-timing a loose ball into the net for his first goal of the season with 1:32 on the clock.