WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Francis Marion Women's Soccer took just its second lead of the season when senior forward Elizabeth Asare drilled a headed ball into the net in the 18th minute of Sunday's (Sept. 14) contest with Elon at the UNC Wilmington Hilton Inn Mayfaire Invitational. Unfortunately for FMU the lead would not last and the Patriots would eventually fall 3-1 to the Phoenix.
Asare's goal at the 17:27 mark was assisted by fellow senior Chanel Harris, and gave FMU its first lead since the Patriots led Georgia Southern 1-0 in the season opener on August 22. The lead was short lived however. Minutes later the Patriots made a mistake on the defensive end, giving up an own goal to tie the match at 1-1 in the 21st minute.
Francis Marion continued creating chances on the offensive end throughout the match, tying a season high of six shots. The breakthrough for the Patriots never came though while Elon managed to put in two second-half goals of their own. The Phoenix took the lead for good at the 56:30 mark when Grace Bennett punched in a pass off a corner kick. Kendall Ballotti also notched a goal for Elon, once again scoring off a set piece when she headed in a corner kick in the 79th minute.
Taylor O'Berry added three saves in goal for FMU to bring her season total to 27. Freshman Casey Murakami also saw action in goal for only the second time this year. Seeing her first action on the pitch for Francis Marion was fifth-year senior Kimberley Hurter, a former tennis player for FMU.
The Patriots will next travel to Mobile, Ala., to participate in the South Alabama Jaguar Classic this Friday (Sept. 19) at 5 p.m. against Troy University and again on Sunday (Sept. 21) at 12:30 p.m. against tournament host South Alabama . The next home match for FMU is Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. against the Uniuversity of Northern Kentucky.
Elon (3-4-0) def. Francis Marion Univ. (0-5-0) 3-1
Date: Sep 14, 2014 Attendance: 211
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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Elon................ 1 2 - 3
Francis Marion Univ. 1 0 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
0-1. 17:27 FMU_W Elizabeth Asare (Chanel Harris) - Header off throw in into near post on right
1-1. 20:51 ELON OWN GOAL (unassisted) - Cross redirected into goal by FMU defender
2-1. 56:30 ELON Bennett, Grace (Houpt, Bethany;Ballotti, Kendall) - Corner kick sent long, volleyed to goal scorer in middle of goal
3-1. 78:27 ELON Ballotti, Kendall (Houpt, Bethany) - Header off corner kick from leftside. Ball bounced and headed in
Shots: Elon 15, Francis Marion Univ. 6 ; Saves: Elon 0 (), Francis Marion Univ. 3 (Taylor O'Berry 3)
