FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University goalkeeper Andrea Scapolo came up with a huge save on a second-half penalty kick, but Florida Tech reserve defender Tom Windle knocked home the rebound shot that gave the Panthers a 1-0 win over the Patriots, Saturday night (Sept. 3) in non-conference men's soccer action. 
 
Francis Marion (1-2-1) will return to action on Wednesday with a road contest at local-rival Coker University.  Kick-off is set for 5 p.m.  The next home match for FMU will be Sept. 13 against Wingate University at 7 p.m.
 
Florida Tech (3-0-1) out shot Francis Marion 9-6, but the Patriots held a 7-4 edge in corner kicks.
 
The scoreless first half featured only a combined three shots, none of which were on frame.  In the 43rd minute, FMU defender Paal Vistnes looked to serve the ball into the 6-yard box, but his attempt turned into a shot that glanced off the crossbar.  The rebound fell to Gabriele Cavarero, but his shot from 16 yards out sailed outside the left post.
 
Early in the second half, Florida Tech attacked in transition.  A cross found Joeran Osland in the box on the left side.  His chip shot was headed away by a Patriot defender, but he was whistled for a handball and a resulting penalty kick was awarded to the Panthers.
 
Scapolo guessed corrected and blocked the attempt by Fabio Amaral, but the rebound went to Windle who scored from 15 yards out in the right side of the box.
 
Francis Marion created four corner kicks in the final 15 minutes, but were only able to register one off-target shot.
 
FMU reserve forward Miguel Bello accounted for the Patriots' only on-frame shot when his 13-yard attempt from near the topo of the box was gobbled up by Panther goalkeeper Luis Tovar Romero at 71:18.
 
Scapolo finished with four saves.

 
 
Florida Tech (3-0-1) def. Francis Marion Univ. (1-2-1) 1-0
Date: 09/03/22      Attendance: 112
 
Goals by period            1  2  Tot
----------------------------------------
Florida Tech........        0  1 -  1
Francis Marion Univ.   0  0 -  0
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  46:29 FIT Tom Windle (1) (Fabio Amaral)   Rebound shot from 15 yards out after PK was saved
 
Shots: Florida Tech 9, Francis Marion Univ. 6 ; Saves: Florida Tech 1 (Luis Tovar Romero 1), Francis Marion 4 (Andrea Scapolo 4)