Saturday, Sept. 11, in Lancaster, Pa. the Elizabethtown College men’s soccer team fell to Franklin & Marshall College 1-0 in the annual battle for the Smith-Herr Boot.

The annual “Battle of the Boot” began in 1977 and has been played each year since – aside from 2010 and 2020. The Smith-Herr Bronze Boot is a soccer shoe originally worn by Al Hershey, who was a two-time All-American at Etown before later coaching the Blue Jays and F&M. 

The yearly clash is named for Robert Smith, who coached F&M from 1947 to 1963, and Ira R. Herr, who coached Etown from 1938 to 1948 and 1958 to 1960.

With the loss, the Blue Jays lost the win to loss record changed to 2-1 on the season, while the F&M Diplomats remain undefeated at 3-0.

Sophomore Phillip Monos scored the only goal in the entire game for F&M.

After a scoreless first half that saw limited options, the Diplomats found the game winner in the 72nd minute. Monos stepped up for a corner kick and hit a curling ball to the far post. Etown’s sophomore goalkeeper Kelvin Delcid rose up to make the save but the ball found its way over his hands and into the back of the net.

The Blue Jays nearly found an equalizer in the waning moments as a service found Diplomats’ goalkeeper Sam Altman Farrell off his line. Junior Dylan Hairfield headed the ball towards goal but pushed it over the bar and F&M ran the clock out for their third straight win in the rivalry. 

Delcid made a season-high five saves for Etown. Altman Farrell racked up his third consecutive shutout of the season with two saves.

Etown men’s soccer returns home on Wednesday, Sept. 15 to host Alvernia University in the two teams annual Kicks for Cancer game. Opening kickoff is set for 7 p.m.