AMERICUS, GA - Junior forward Valentina Restrepo received a ball from freshman midfielder Ainara Eizaguirre in the 62nd minute of play and found the game's only goal to give Francis Marion University a 1-0 road win over Georgia Southwestern State University on Thursday, March 25 in Peach Belt Conference women's soccer action.
 
The Patriots (3-6-0) will remain on the road for the final game of the 2020-21 season when they play at USC Aiken on Monday (March 29) at 7:30 p.m. 
 
Francis Marion outshot the Hurricanes 13-9, including a 7-5 edge over the final 45 minutes. The Patriots also held a commanding 5-0 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Restrepo's match-winning goal came at the 61:37 mark. It is her second tally of the year and her first career match-winner. 
 
FMU sophomore goalkeeper Makayla Willets posted her second career shutout, logging four saves in 82 minutes of play. Junior Rachael Hennenkamp came on to play the final eight minutes between the posts for the Patriots and made one save.  GSW goalkeeper Trinity Chastain made six stops.
 
The Patriots had a few scoring opportunities in the first stanza. Restrepo forced a save by Chastain with a shot in the seventh minute. Two minutes later, freshman forward Ambrea Hills forced another save by Chastain on a shot sent low and to the left. At the 33:09 mark, Eizaguirre's shot was stopped by another diving save from the Hurricane goalkeeper.
 
Willets recorded two saves in the first half, those coming in the 20th and 37th minutes.
 
Francis Marion continued to press in the early minutes of the second period with shots by senior defender Brooke Kennedy and freshman forward Jada Pearson before Restrepo connected on the goal in the 62nd minute.
 
The Hurricanes had three late chances to get the equalizer, but Willets denied two and Hennenkamp the final attempt in the 83rd minute.
 
Restrepo led Francis Marion with four shots, while junior Kiley Barr registered three and Hills two.
 
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.
 
 
Francis Marion Univ. (3-6-0, 3-6-0) def. Ga. Southwestern (0-4-1, 0-4-1) 1-0
Date: 03/25/21      Attendance: 60
 
Goals by period         1  2  Tot
----------------------------------------
Francis Marion Univ.  0  1 -  1
Ga. Southwestern....  0  0 -  0
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  61:37 FMU_W Valentina Restrepo (2) (Ainara Eizaguirre)
 
Shots: Francis Marion 13, Ga. Southwestern 9 ; Saves: Francis Marion 5 (Makayla Willets 4; Rachael Hennenkamp 1), Ga. Southwestern 6 (Trinity Chastain 6)