PEMBROKE, NC – In their match-up against I-95 rivals UNC Pembroke on Tuesday (Oct. 24), three Francis Marion University women's soccer players scored in a 3-3 tie.
 
The Patriots (7-4-4, 4-3-4) maintained their ranking of second place in the East Division of Conference Carolinas.  FMU will return to the field on Saturday (Oct. 28) at Chowan University for their final match of regular season play. The first round of Conference Carolinas tournament play will begin on Nov. 1, the location and time still to be announced.
 
The advantage stood in UNCP's favor (1-0) until the 38:16 mark when sophomore forward Kristina Syragakis notched her 13th goal in 15 contests. A loose ball on the ground and a scramble in front of the goal gave Syragakis the opportunity she needed to toe the ball in just past UNCP's goalkeeper in the 39th minute.
 
Although the Braves (9-3-3, 7-1-3) held the advantage in shots, 23-9, Francis Marion proved to be more successful as another two Patriots earned a goal and landed eight shots on frame.
 
Senior defender Paula Sanabria posted her first goal of the season. A strong shot from Le'Landra Jarvis forced Chiara Copping to post a save, the ball rolling off her fingertips and resulting in a corner kick for FMU. Off the corner kick, Sanabria chipped the ball in for a 2-1 lead only 2:50 into the second half.
 
Patriot junior defender JG Garon tallied her second goal of the season and third goal of the match with a shot from outside the box just inside the right post at 51:46 to put FMU up 3-1.
 
Despite having the advantage over the Braves, UNCP chased down a tie with goals from both Mercy Bell and Maria Cancio, the final score coming off a corner kick with only a 1:38 remaining.
 
Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Makayla Willets posted an impressive seven saves, and in the process tied former Patriot great Jacque Sutphin for second place on the all-time Patriot saves list with 287.
 
Coppin recorded five saves.
 
 
Francis Marion Univ. (7-4-4, 4-3-4) ties UNC Pembroke (9-3-3, 7-1-3) 3-3
Date: 10/24/23      Attendance: 233
 
Goals by period          1  2  Tot
--------------------------------------------
Francis Marion Univ.   1  2 -  3
UNC Pembroke........  1  2 -  3
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  20:40 UNCP Lowry, Abigail (6) (Grossheim, Anna)
1-1.  38:16 FMU_W Kristina Syragakis (13) (unassisted)
2-1.  47:50 FMU_W Paula Sanabria (1) (unassisted)
3-1.  51:46 FMU_W JG Garon (2) (unassisted)
3-2.  57:10 UNCP Bell, Mercy (19) (Harris, Ashleigh)
3-3.  88:22 UNCP Cancio, Maria (4) Corner kick
 
Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 9, UNC Pembroke 23 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 7 (Makayla Willets 7), UNC Pembroke 5 (Chiara Coppin 5)