FLORENCE, SC – Junior midfielder Dayle McEwen connected for the match-winner early in the second half to give Francis Marion University a 1-0 victory over Georgia Southwestern State University, Saturday afternoon (Oct. 12) in Peach Belt Conference women's soccer play.

The win, coming on Senior Day, was the team's first conference win and brings the Patriots' overall mark to 4-5-1 and its PBC record to 1-4-0.

Francis Marion will travel to Albany State University on Saturday (Oct. 19) for a 1 p.m. kick-off. The Patriots then travel to USC Aiken on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m., before returning to back home on Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. to host Clayton State University.

The Patriots were led in shots by McEwen and senior Carli Gauthier with three apiece, with all of McEwen's being on target. McEwen's goal came after junior Emma Hall served the ball into the penalty area, but GSW defenders were unable to clear the ball.  That loose ball eventually fell to McEwen who scored from seven yards out at the 54:53 mark.  It was her team-leading fifth goal of the season and 16th of her career.

The Patriots had 14 shots with seven on target. Following McEwen and Gauthier were Sarah Moll and Faith Allen who had two shots a piece, while teammates Megan Misuraca, Jessica Garnett, Rianna Orello, and Sierra Cartano all added one shot each.

The Patriots also earned five corner kicks and only gave up one to the Lady Hurricanes. GSW posted five shots, three of which were on frame.

FMU senior goalkeeper Micahla Kitchen registered her second full shutout of the season, making three saves in the process. Sophomore Hannah Morrone registered six stops in goal for Georgia Southwestern (3-7-1, 0-5-0).

During the scoreless first half, GSW's Geraldine Alvarez fired a 20-yard attempt in the 34th minute, but Kitchen came up with the save.  With 1:13 left before halftime, Allen came up with a deflected ball in the 6-yard box, but her short effort went into the side netting.

FMU had a chance, or three to be exact, to double its margin in the 80th minute.  Morrone stopped three consecutive attempts – two by Gauthier and one by Allen – all in a span of 10 seconds.  The Lady Hurricanes' best chance to equalize came in the 83rd minute when Alison Rugel hammered a 26-yard shot that forced a leaping stop by Kitchen.

Francis Marion has now registered four shutouts this season, the most since the 2012 squad posted four clean sheets.

Prior to Saturday's match, FMU honors its four seniors: Kitchen, Gauthier, Garnett, and Cartano.

Francis Marion Univ. (4-5-1, 1-4-0) def. Ga. Southwestern St. (3-7-1, 0-5-0) 1-0
Date: 10/12/19      Attendance: 163

Goals by period           1  2  Tot
---------------------------------------
Ga. Southwestern St.  0  0 -  0
Francis Marion Univ.    0  1 -  1

SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  54:53 FMU_W Dayle McEwen (5) (unassisted) - Loose ball in the box, knocked in from 7

Shots: Ga. Southwestern St. 5, Francis Marion Univ. 14 ; Saves: Ga. Southwestern 6 (Hannah Morrone 6), Francis Marion 3 (Micahla Kitchen 3)