GLASSBORO, NJ – The 8th-ranked University of Rochester field hockey team is into the national quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons, following a 2-0 victory over #11 Franklin and Marshall College on Saturday afternoon at Rowan University.
 
Senior Nancy Bansbach scored both goals for the Yellowjackets (19-2) as Rochester sets a new school record for wins in a season, with its 19th triumph of the year.  The loss ends the Diplomats season at 17-4 overall.
 
Bansbach's two goals push her season total to 21, tying for second most in a single-season in Rochester history.  The recently crown Liberty League Player of the Year now has 47 points this season, also second best in UR single-season history.
 
To open the game, Rochester nearly made it 1-0 off a penalty corner in the 10th minute, but a great defensive save by Colleen Francis denied UR's Emma Schlechter a tap in goal at the left post, swatting the chip shot out of mid-air.
 
Four minutes later, Bansbach gained possession six yards off the endline and had a one-timer shot trickle just wide of the net after an entry pass into the circle from teammate Amanda Guido.
 

At 18:53, Franklin & Marshall's first scoring chance of the game came off the stick of Lily Mynott, who deflected a pass right on goal, but Rochester's Kate Kujawa was there to make a sprawling save.
 
With ten minutes remaining in the first half, the Diplomats applied a good deal of pressure on the offensive end.  A good possession in the circle led to a penalty corner and two shots on goal, both of which were saved by Kujawa.
 
Another corner was earned by F&M a minute later, with Kujawa making another diving save in the cage, stopping Erin Coverdale's shot attempt.
 
Rochester's Amanda Strenk took a hard PC shot from the top of the circle in the 30th minute, but Ilianna Santangelo had a clean look at it in the cage and made the kick save.
 
Bansbach was able to break through at 32:19 for the eventual game-winner.  After a penalty corner, Maya Haigis received the ball at the top of the circle and saw her shot blocked.  Bansbach was in the right place, securing the loose ball, found space in the middle of the circle and slipped her shot into the goal for the 1-0 UR lead.
 
With under 40 seconds left in the half, Courtney Dunham had another chance to score off a penalty corner, but her sweep shot from the right wing was saved.
 
In the second half, the Diplomats had the first good look to score, coming in the 39th minute off the stick of Mynott, but once again Kujawa made the save, one of eight on the day for the junior goalkeeper.
 
At the 55 minute mark, the Diplomats earned the first of back-to-back corners, but the Yellowjacket backline of Kate Tiffany, Miranda Lakis, Dunham and Kujawa were able to stand tall and defended both away.
 
Rochester's lead doubled at 64:03.  After a penalty corner, Haigis gained control along the left wing and chipped a backhand in front of the F&M goal.  A scramble ensued and both Strenk and Bansbach were there on the attack, with Bansbach slipping the chance into the goal for a key insurance score.
 
Franklin & Marshall earned two more penalty corners and took one additional shot in the contest, but Rochester was able to keep them off the scoreboard, earning its school record 12th shutout of the season.
 
The Yellowjackets take on #3 ranked Rowan University in the national quarterfinals on Sunday at 1 pm.