A dominant first three periods by the Franklin & Marshall club water polo team was enough to stifle a late rally by the La Salle Explorers at Kirk Pool in Philadelphia this past Tuesday night.

Down 12-4 going into the fourth period, the Explorers scored three unanswered goals to cut the lead to five and continued to pepper the Diplomats' goalkeeper with quality shots on goal. However, the goalkeeper weathered the storm with four big saves in a row to keep the lead at five.

Following the Explorers' offensive surge, the momentum quickly shifted back to the side of the Diplomats as they scored two breakaway goals to double up the Explorers 14-7.

Barely after the initial sprint, the Explorers netted a goal to take a 1-0 lead. However, Franklin & Marshall quickly responded with an equalizer and three more unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead into the second period, never looking back.

Throughout the second and third periods, gameplay was nearly equal, going back and forth in the pool, but the Franklin & Marshall defense kept the Explorers' attack away from the goal, resulting in easy saves for the Diplomats' goalkeeper.

On the other end of the pool, the Diplomats opened up an 8-2 lead at the end of the half and continued to convert on numerous quality scoring chances to take that 12-4 lead into the fourth period.

The La Salle club water polo team will be back in action this Thursday, September 20 as they face Millersville University in search of their first win of the season.