ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — The Francis Marion University women's soccer team fell to Flagler College 3-0 on Sunday (Feb. 22) despite a career day by sophomore goalkeeper Makayla Willets in Peach Belt Conference women's soccer action.
 
FMU sees its record drop to 1–3, while the Saints, a NCAA Final Four squad last season, improve to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Patriots will play host Georgia College on Monday, March 1, at 3 p.m. Attendance is limited to 250 and that includes only season ticket holders, FMU students with pre-acquired tickets, and player/staff family members identified on a pre-game ticket list. No walk-up game-day tickets will be sold.
 
The Saints outshot the Patriots 33-7, and led 10-6 in corner kicks. Senior midfielder Sarah Moll led the FMU with three shots, including one on target in the 70th minute. Junior forward Valentina Restrepo was next among the Patriots in shots taken with two, including one that required a diving save by senior goalkeeper Sarah-Lisa Dubel in the 31st minute.
 
Willets's career-high 16 saves was only four shy of the school record of 20 set by Kristen Banach on Oct. 16, 1995, at Presbyterian College.
 
Flagler junior midfielder Chloe Byrne tallied the first of three goals for the Saints at the 13:26 mark following a cross into the 6-yard box from senior forward Annie Habeeb. The Patriots had a chance to get an equalizer in the 31:07 mark, following a give-and-go sequence with Restrepo just outside the 18-yard box.
 
The next Saints' goal came just 39 seconds into the second half. Freshman forward Jess Leach received a ball from Habeeb and weaved through a pair of Patriot defenders before sending a shot to the top of the net, just out of Willets' reach. This marked Habeeb's second assist on the day. 
 
An FMU foul in the box in the 69th minute allowed senior forward Maria Castorino-Mujica the opportunity to add to the Saints lead via a penalty kick. Willets guessed correctly, but Castorino-Mujica's ball was just out of her reach.
 
For the latest news and updates regarding Francis Marion women's soccer, follow the Patriots on Twitter at @FMUSports, on Facebook at FMUSports, and Instagram at @FMUSports or check out information online at www.fmupatriots.com.
 
 
Flagler College (2-0-0, 1-0-0) def. Francis Marion Univ. (1-3-0, 1-3-0) 3-0
Date: Feb 21, 2021  Attendance: 50
Weather: Sunny, 64; W: 12mph
 
Goals by period 1  2  Tot
---------------------------------
Francis Marion   0  0 -  0
Flagler.............   1  2 -  3
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  13:26 FLG Chloe Byrne (1) (Annie Habeeb) - 4 cross into 6-yard box, 8 finishes center of net
2-0.  45:39 FLG Jess Leach (1) (Annie Habeeb) - through the middle, shot in top of net
3-0.  69:18 FLG M. Castorino-Mujica (1) Penalty kick
 
Shots: Francis Marion 7, Flagler 33 ; Saves: Francis Marion 16 (Makayla Willets 16), Flagler 3 (Sarah-Lisa Dubel 2; TEAM 1)