In a showdown between two nationally ranked men's soccer teams, Muhlenberg fell at Franklin & Marshall, 4-2.

The loss snapped a nine-game unbeaten streak for the Mules (8-2-1, 3-1-1), who entered the game ranked 16th in Division III. The 18th-ranked Diplomats (9-1-2, 3-0-2) are unbeaten in their last 18 Centennial Conference regular-season games.

Muhlenberg took an early lead when senior Taylan Akdag put in a free kick just 5:32 into the game for his 22nd career goal.

The Mules hadn't given up more than one goal in any game this season, but F&M erased the deficit and took its own lead by scoring twice in the 11th minute, 54 seconds apart.

The Diplomat lead grew to 3-1 when Muhlenberg gave up an own goal 15 minutes into the second half. But the Mules made it a game by scoring with 19:09 remaining, with senior Luke Feeney scoring his first goal of the season off a pass ahead from senior Chris Richards. Feeney became the 13th different Muhlenberg player to score a goal this season.

Muhlenberg very nearly tied the score twice with about 15 minutes left. A left-footed shot by junior Kevin Adams (pictured above) was headed for the back of the net at the far post before the F&M goalie dove to tip it away at the last second. Off the ensuing corner kick, Richards put a shot past the F&M goalie at the other post, but a back cleared it off the line to preserve the one-goal lead.

The Diplomats finally put the game out of reach with exactly eight minutes to play by putting in a rebound after Mule sophomore Ben Mulford made back-to-back saves. 

The teams finished with 15 shots apiece, and Muhlenberg had a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.