GREENWOOD, SC — An 85th minute goal by Lander University's Marco Gueli allowed the Bearcats to escape with a 1-0 win over Francis Marion University, Monday night (Feb. 8) in a showdown of two of the Peach Belt Conference men's soccer heavyweights.
 
Francis Marion (0-1-1, 0-1-1) will play its home opener on Monday (Feb. 15) when the Patriots entertain the University of North Georgia at 3:30 p.m. on Hartzler Field.
 
Admission to the Griffin Athletic Complex will be limited to 250 spectators, including only FMU season ticket holders, FMU students who pick up free tickets prior to kick-off, and family members of FMU team members who pre-purchase tickets.  No walk-up day-of-game ticket sales will be available.
 
The Bearcats outshot FMU 11-5 and held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Felipe de Moraes made his first start in goal for Francis Marion and recorded five saves.
 
A header by Patriot junior defender John Castro at the 50:54 mark forced the lone save by Lander goalkeeper Jacob Withers.
 
Gueli's goal came at 84:18 off an assist from Joe Linley.  FMU had one opportunity to even the score, but sophomore forward Alvaro Zamora's 87th minute attempt sailed wide left of the goal.
 
The opening 45 minutes featured only six combined shots: four by Lander and two by FMU.
 
 
Lander (1-0-0, 1-0-0) def. Francis Marion Univ. (0-1-1, 0-1-1) 1-0
Date: 2/8/2021      Attendance: 124
 
Goals by period        1  2  Tot
Francis Marion Univ.  0  0 -  0
Lander..............        0  1 -  1
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  84:18 LU Marco Gueli (1) (Joe Linley)
 
Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 5, Lander 11 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 5 (Felipe de Moraes 5), Lander 1 (Jacob Withers 1)