BROWNS SUMMIT, NC – The Francis Marion University women's soccer team fell short to Belmont Abbey College 1-0 in the 2023 Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinals on Friday (Nov. 10) night.
 
Despite coming up short in the semifinals match, Francis Marion had a successful first season under new head coach Sam Holmes. The Patriots finished the year 8-6-4, while second-seeded Belmont Abbey improves to 11-2-4.
 
FMU sophomore All-Conference forward Kristina Syragakis led FMU with three shots and was followed up by junior defender JG Garon who posted two shots of her own.
 
After a relatively even first half that saw nine shots but no goals, the pace picked up to open the second stanza.  FMU withstood three shots by the Crusaders in the opening six minutes, and although none were on frame, they were good attempts.
 
The Patriots responded with their best scoring opportunity when senior defender Ainara Eizaguirre headed down a Syragakis corner kick at 54:28, but Belmont Abbey goalkeeper Brianna Sroka was in the right spot to make the save.  Syragakis was wide with another shot three minutes later.
 
Although Belmont Abbey held the advantage in shots, 12-7, Francis Marion took three corner kicks to BAC's two.
 
With 4:10 left in the match, a nice through ball sprung open Logan Perry who crossed the ball through the six-yard box to Sabrina Cunha for a short attempt that found the back of the net and sealed the Crusaders' spot in the tournament title match against UNC Pembroke on Sunday.  The winning goal was the only shot attempted in the final 15 minutes of the contest.
 
Prior to the score, Garon had forced a save by Sroka in the 75th minute on the Patriots' final shot.
 
FMU fifth-year senior goalkeeper Makayla Willets reached a career milestone as she tallied six saves to become just the second Patriot to surpass 300 career saves. She finishes her time as a Patriot with 301 stops.  Sroka registered four saves in the match.
 
Five Patriots stepped on to the pitch for the final time: Willets, All-Conference midfielder Jen Bartlett, midfielders Paula Sanabria and Hannah Walsh, and Eizaguirre.

 
 
Belmont Abbey College (11-2-4) def. Francis Marion Univ. (8-6-4) 1-0
Date: 11/10/23      Attendance: 206
 
Goals by period          1  2  Tot
--------------------------------------------
Francis Marion Univ.   0  0 -  0
Belmont Abbey.......   0  1 -  1
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
85:50 BAC Sabrina Cunha (4) (Logan Parry) – Thru ball, cross thru 6-yard box, 5-yard shot from tight right angle
 
Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 7, Belmont Abbey College 12 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 6 (Makayla Willets 6), Belmont Abbey College 4 (Brianna Sroka 4)