AMERICUS, GA - Second-half goals by junior midfielders Oliver Peters and Sam Pollard calm the storm as Francis Marion University shutouts out Georgia Southwestern State University 3-0, Thursday night (March 11) in Peach Belt Conference men's soccer action.
 
The Patriots (3-2-2, 2-2-2) will return to Florence to host No. 7 Lander University on Monday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. Attendance is limited to 250 and that includes only season ticket holders, FMU students with pre-acquired tickets, and family members of players and staff who pre-purchase tickets. No walk-up game-day tickets will be sold.
 
Francis Marion outshot the Hurricanes 18-11 and held a narrow 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Both FMU senior goalkeeper Maximiliano Rocco and Georgia Southwestern's Mauricio Uribe posted five saves in goal. The shutout marks Rocco's second clean sheet of the year and 13th of his two-year Patriot career.
 
The Patriots struck quickly in the second minute thanks to a goal from junior forward Javier Bello. Bello received a ball from a midfielder and dribbled it into the box. He sent a left-footed shot off the right post and in for the game's first goal. Bello almost added a second goal at the 6:16 mark. He received a cross from Pollard and sent a shot to the upper right 90 that required a leaping save by Uribe.
 
The Hurricanes (3-2, 3-2) had their chance to respond in the 11th minute. Sophomore Cole Davison sent a shot near the right post that Rocco popped over the goal.
 
FMU had chances to add to its lead late in the first period. First on a free kick by Jafet Santiago. The junior midfielder sent a bending shot on-goal that Uribe punched out, and in the 44th minute, sophomore forward Luis Villarreal sent a low laser-beam shot from 38-yards out forcing a diving save.
 
Coming out of the locker room energized, the Hurricanes looked for an equalizer in the 55th minute. Senior Bryan Zuniga sent a cross on-goal that Rocco corralled near the left post. A minute later, the Hurricanes were then awarded a penalty kick after a Francis Marion foul in the box. Rocco guessed correctly as Zuniga went left, and made a spectacular diving save – his second stop of a penalty kick this season.
 
The Patriots responded with a pair of shots in the 57th minute that required diving efforts by Uribe.
 
At the 70:25 time stamp, a long shot from GSW freshman Matteo Landais one-hopped into the arms of Rocco.
 
Francis Marion continued to press. In the 79th minute, a cross that eluded Uribe required a team save by a GSW defender. However, the Patriots' efforts were awarded in the 85th minute when Pollard took the ball himself, dribble to the top of the 18-yard box, and sent a right-footed shot low and left past the keeper to produce a 2-0 lead.
 
Moments later FMU extended its lead thanks to a goal by Peters. A GSW foul just outside the box led to an FMU free kick. Graduate student Edward Meisel played it quickly to Peters inside the box who sent a shot into the upper net from 12 yards out.
 
On March 7, the initial United Soccer Coaches Top-25 poll was released. The Patriots were among three PBC squads receiving votes (#7 Lander and #14 Young Harris).
 
The Patriots continued their dominance of the Hurricanes by upping their all-time mark against GSW to 13-1-1.
 
For the latest news and updates regarding Francis Marion men'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.
 
 
Francis Marion Univ. (3-2-2, 2-2-2) def. Ga. Southwestern (3-2-0, 3-2-0) 3-0
Date: 03/11/21      Attendance: 80
 
Goals by period         1  2  Tot
-----------------------------------------
Francis Marion Univ.  1  2 -  3
Ga. Southwestern....  0  0 -  0
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.   1:45 FMU Javier Bello (2) (unassisted)
2-0.  84:49 FMU Sam Pollard (1) (unassisted)
3-0.  87:11 FMU Oliver Peters (1) (Eduardo Meisel)
 
Shots: Francis Marion 18, Ga. Southwestern 11 ; Saves: Francis Marion 5 (Maximiliano Rocco 5), Ga. Southwestern 5 (Mauricio Uribe 5)