CHARLESTON, SC – Francis Marion University junior Kelly Anthony recorded the first hat trick for the Patriots in seven seasons, but FMU fell to Morehead State University 5-3, Friday afternoon (Sept. 11) in the opening contest of the Nike Challenge 2.

The match was played on the campus of Charleston Southern University.  The Patriot women (1-6-0) will travel across town in Charleston to face The Citadel on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Anthony gave Francis Marion a 1-0 advantage in the third minute when she dribbled into the penalty area from the wing and scored.

However, Morehead State (3-4-0) responded with four unanswered goals to take 4-1 advantage at intermission.  The Eagles added another tally just two minutes into the second stanza to take a 5-1 lead.

Anthony again found the back of the net at the 65:23 mark when she received a pass from sophomore Haley Bigler, then dribbled past a MSU defender and scored.  Her third score came on a penalty kick at the 74:48 mark.

The last Patriot to register a hat trick was Kiley Williams during the 2008 campaign against South Carolina State University.

FMU senior goalkeeper Taylor O'Berry played the opening 45 minutes and recorded five saves, while sophomore Casey Murakami played the second half and made three stops.

Morehead St. (3-4-0) def. Francis Marion Univ. (1-6-0) 5-3
Date: Sep 11, 2015  Attendance: 67
Weather: 84 degrees, partly cloudy

Goals by period        1  2  Tot
-------------------------------------
Francis Marion Univ.  1  2 -  3
Morehead St.........    4  1 -  5
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
0-1.   2:39 FMU_W Kelly Anthony (2) (unassisted) - dribbled inside the box from wing, shot, goal.*
1-1.  29:11 MOR DAMANTE, Samantha (1) (unassisted) - dribble inside the middle of the box, shot, goal*
2-1.  32:07 MOR TIMM, Abby (2) (GOMEZ, Kristi) - cross to middle of box, shot, goal*
3-1.  39:08 MOR TIMM, Abby (3) (DUFFY, Lauren) - cross in from left wing, dribble, shot, goal.*
4-1.  43:18 MOR KOOTZ, Macy (1) Penalty kick
5-1.  46:59 MOR GOMEZ, Kelsey (1) (BLACK, Angela) - cross from right wing into the box, shot, goal*
5-2.  65:23 FMU_W Kelly Anthony (3) (Haley Bigler) - pass from midfield, dribble past defender, shot, goal*
5-3.  74:48 FMU_W Kelly Anthony (4) Penalty kick

Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 9, Morehead St. 40 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 8 (Casey Murakami 3; Taylor O'Berry 5), Morehead St. 2 (WASHBURN, Michelle 2)