YOUNG HARRIS, GA – Conference-leading Francis Marion University received first-half goals from junior forward Rafael Silverio and freshman midfielder Camilo Salazar and the Patriots would go on to record a 2-2 tie with Young Harris College, Saturday afternoon (Oct. 21) in a key Conference Carolinas men's soccer match-up.
 
Francis Marion is unbeaten in its last 11 matches and moves to 7-1-6 overall and 6-0-4 in conference play.  FMU will return home for its final home contest on Hartzler Field, Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. against local-rival and non-conference foe Coker University.
 
In the most recent KPI rankings – the determining factor for conference tournament seeding – Francis Marion was first and Young Harris third.
 
FMU took an early 1-0 lead at the 4:42 mark when Silverio was fouled in the penalty area and he converted the ensuing penalty kick.  The advantage grew to 2-0 when Salazar scored off an assist from junior Edorta Cabieces at 41:02.
 
The Patriots held a commanding 57-percent edge in ball possession over the opening 45 minutes.
 
Young Harris cut the margin in half with a penalty kick from Pato Padilla in the 51st minute, and drew even at 2-2 when Thomas Kleinpenning headed in a service by Alexsi Morel at the 71:05 mark.
 
The final nine minutes of the contest featured plenty of action as the two squads looked to earn a win.  FMU graduate student midfielder Philipp Worner forced a save by Mountain Lion goalkeeper Stathis Paplomatos in the 84th minute and senior midfielder Wendel Lima was high on an effort with 2:01 remaining.
 
FMU junior goalkeeper Felipe Ramos Peralta stopped a potential match-winner by Kleinpenning with 1:11 left and Patriot senior midfielder Vicente Arratia Veit was denied by Paplomatos with 22 seconds remaining.
 
Francis Marion outshot Young Harris 14-6 and held a possession edge of 52 percent to 48 percent.  Both squads earned three corner kicks.
 
Ramos Peralta finished with two saves, while Paplomatos made four stops.
 
 
Francis Marion Univ. (7-1-6, 6-0-4) ties Young Harris (9-2-4, 8-0-3) 2-2
Date: 10/21/23      Attendance: 70
 
Goals by period           1  2  Tot
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 Francis Marion Univ.   2  0 -  2
 Young Harris............  0  2 -  2
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.   4:42 FMU Rafael Silverio Penalty kick
2-0.  41:02 FMU Camilo Salazar (2) (Edorta Cabieces)
2-1.  50:13 YHC Pato Padilla Penalty kick
2-2.  71:05 YHC Thomas Kleinpenning (5) (Alexsi Morel)
 
Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 14, Young Harris 6 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 2 (Felipe Ramos Peralta 2), Young Harris 4 (Stathis Paplomatos 4)