FLORENCE, SC – Senior Tom Marriott scored the third of his three goals early in the second overtime period as 10th-ranked Lander University edged Francis Marion University 3-2, Thursday evening (Sept. 2) in men's college soccer action.
 
The wildly entertaining contest was the season opener for both squads.  Francis Marion (0-1-0) will return to action on Monday (Sept. 6) when the Patriots play host to Rollins College at 1 p.m.  Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students, with FMU students being admitted free.
 
FMU freshman forward Nick Huenig opened the scoring in the fifth minute (4:20) with his first collegiate goal.  The build-up began in the back with senior midfielder Oliver Peters laying the ball off to senior defender Sam Pollard who streaked down the left sideline and crossed the ball into the penalty area.  The ball went through the 6-yard box eluding the initial Patriot runner before Huenig controlled it and was successful on a 4-yard tap-in.
 
Marriott nearly evened the match in the 13th minute, but his shot from 19 yards out clanged off the right post.
 
Francis Marion had a chance to double its margin at 40:32 but sophomore Jose Curvelo misfired on an 8-yard attempt with an open net.  Minutes later Pollard sent another dangerous cross through the 6-yard box, but was unable to find a teammate.  The first half ended with FMU holding the 1-0 advantage.
 
In the 58th minute, FMU sophomore midfielder Rodrigo Alvarez was shown a straight red card following a collision and the Patriots played the final 44 minutes a man down.
 
Lander equalized in the 65th minute when Marriott scored on  10-yard shot following a blocked Bearcat shot.
 
Junior Alvaro Zamora put Francis Marion back on top with a short-handed tally at 79:16.  With the outside of the right foot, Peters served a diagonal ball into the box where Zamora ran onto it and converted an 11-yard shot.
 
The Bearcats forced overtime when Marriott scored with six minutes left.  Following a scoreless opening 10-minute period, Marriott notched the match-winner only 1:21 into the second extra period.
 
FMU sophomore goalkeeper Riccardo Rossi posted five saves in his first action as a Patriot.
 
Lander outshot FMU 14-4 and took three of the match's four corner kicks.
 
The two long-time rivals were meeting for the 57th time, but for the first time as non-conference opponents (as FMU enters Conference Carolinas this year).  Each of the last five contests have either been decided by one goal or ended in a tie.

 
 
#10 Lander University (1-0-0) def. Francis Marion Univ. (0-1-0) 3-2 in 2OTs
Date: 09/02/21      Attendance: 135
Weather:  Warm, Humid, Mostly Clear
 
Goals by period            1  2 OT O2  Tot
Lander University...       0  2  0  1 -  3
Francis Marion Univ.     1  1  0  0 -  2
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.   4:20 FMU Nick Huenig (1) (Sam Pollard) - Cross from far left sideline, across the
1-1  64:29 LAN Marriott, Tom (1) (unassisted) - Initial shot blocked, rebound to #11 for
2-1.  79:16 FMU Alvaro Zamora (1) (Oliver Peters) - Cross field pass to streaking #11 for 11
2-2.  84:00 LAN Marriott, Tom (2) (Bircumshaw, Harry) - Laid off to left side for 13-yard shot
3-2. 101:21 LAN Marriott, Tom (3) (Bolton, Max) - short pass from right side, hammered in from
 
Shots: Lander 14, Francis Marion 4 ; Saves: Lander 0 (Simon Reithmeir 0), Francis Marion Univ. 5 (Riccardo Rossi 5)