PEMBROKE, NC - Francis Marion University capitalized on a pair of defensive breakdowns by UNC Pembroke to score a goal in each half and claim a 2-0 Peach Belt Conference win over the Braves, Thursday evening (Oct. 15) at Varsity Grounds.

The setback snapped a two-game winning streak by the Braves (7-6-1, 3-3-0 PBC) who recorded an 14-12 shot advantage in very wet field conditions. The result gave Francis Marion (7-3-3, 2-1-2) consecutive victories in its series with the Braves for the first time since taking both the regular season and PBC Tournament matchup during the 2000 season.

Reigning PBC Goalkeeper of the Week Clark Richeson stopped all six shots on goal from the Braves to notch his fifth clean sheet of the season, and the 11th of his three-year career.  He also extended his scoreless streak to 298 consecutive minutes.  UNCP netminder Horatio Bynes grabbed a pair of saves in a losing effort.

FMU received goals from juniors Chris Foltanski and Juan Rivas.

After seeing shots come at a premium through the first 29 minutes of play, Foltanski gave Francis Marion a lead it would never relinquish at the 29:12 mark when he redirected a phenomenal service from Kyle Clinton past an outstretched Bynes. It would be the only shot on target the Patriots would record in the period.

The sides split a pair of shots through the first 15 minutes of the second half before Francis Marion found the back of the net, this time on a quick transition goal. Playing off the back end of a UNCP attack, an effective clearance pass by Ivan Juric found the feet of a streaking Rivas down the near sideline and the junior outraced a pair of UNCP defenders before punching a ball past Bynes to cap the scoring on the night.

Francis Marion will be back in action again on Saturday when the Patriots hold Senior Day and entertain North Georgia College & State University (5-5-0, 1-2-0) in a 4 p.m. kick-off.