TIGERVILLE, SC – Francis Marion University used a first-half score from graduate student defender Oier Bernaola and a second-half insurance tally from junior Alvaro Zamora to claim the squad's seventh shutout win of the season, a 2-0 road victory over North Greenville University on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 23) in Conference Carolinas men's soccer play.
 
Francis Marion, unbeaten in its last eight matches, ups its overall record to 9-4-2 and strengthens its hold on the conference lead with an 8-0-1 mark.  The Patriots will conclude regular-season play this coming week with a home match against Barton College on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and a road contest at Erskine College on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
 
A corner kick taken short between senior defender Sam Pollard and sophomore midfielder Matias Morales eventually saw Pollard serve the ball into the penalty area where Bernaola headed the ball into the goal from seven yards out at the 18:52 mark.  It was the center defender's second goal of the year, while Pollard leads the Patriots with eight assists.
 
A transition goal in the 62nd minute doubled the margin.  The sequence began deep in the Patriot defensive end, but quickly turned to the other direction where Zamora scored on a left-footed shot from 19 yards out that crept just inside the near post.  He leads FMU with seven goals this season.
 
Francis Marion outshot the Crusaders 18-9 and held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
 
FMU sophomore goalkeeper Riccardo Rossi made two saves to remain unbeaten in his last eight matches (seven wins and one tie).  He also lowered his season goals against average to 0.99.  His two stops came in the 20th minute and later in the 84th minute, when he stopped a low bending shot.
 
North Greenville goalkeeper Reno Van der Meer registered six saves as the Crusaders fell to 6-6-2 and 3-5-2.
 
 
Francis Marion Univ. (9-4-2, 8-0-1) def. North Greenville (6-6-2, 3-5-2) 2-0
Date: 10/23/21      Attendance: 102
 
Goals by period       1  2  Tot
Francis Marion Univ.  1  1 -  2
North Greenville....  0  0 -  0
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  18:52 FMU Oier Bernaola (2) (Sam Pollard)
2-0.  61:36 FMU Alvaro Zamora (7) (unassisted)
 
Shots: Francis Marion 18, North Greenville 9 ; Saves: Francis Marion 2 (Riccardo Rossi 2), North Greenville 6 (Reno Van der Meer 6)