WILSON, NC – Sophomore forward Kristina Syragakis scored a goal in each half to lead the Francis Marion University women's soccer team to a 2-0 shutout of Barton College on Saturday (Sept. 23) afternoon.

FMU improves to 6-1-0, equaling the third-best start in program history.  Only the 1997 (9-0-0) and 2002 (7-1-0) squads opened their season with a better mark.

The Patriots, also 3-0-0 in Conference Carolinas, will be playing next on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. against Converse University in Spartanburg, S.C.

With her brace, Syragakis now has 10 goals this season and is tied for the NCAA Division II national lead with Dahien Cabrera of Edwards Waters University.

Syragakis' first score came at the 29:02 mark after midfielder JG Garon faked out her defender and gave Syragakis the opening she needed to work the ball into the back of the net. Goal number two, this time assisted by senior Ashley Jordan, was a quick flick over the keeper in the 62nd minute and put the Patriots up by two.

Francis Marion maintained possession for most of the game and was able to produce five corner kicks out of its offensive pressure. Along with the corner kicks, the Patriots outshot Barton 17-10 with six shots on frame. Behind Syragakis' five shots, junior Le'Landra Jarvis, Jordan, Garon, and sophomore Izzy Ashley were all able to get in on the action and take multiple shots on Barton's goal.

FMU senior goalkeeper Makayla Willets picked up three saves en route to her 10th career shutout.
 
 
Francis Marion Univ. (6-1, 3-0 CC) def. Barton (1-2-2, 1-1-1 CC) 2-0
Date: Sep 23, 2023  Attendance: 100
Weather: 60, wet, miserable
 
Goals by period         1  2  Tot
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Francis Marion Univ.  1  1 -  2
Barton....................  0  0 -  0
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  29:09 FMU_W Kristina Syragakis (9) (JG Garon) - faked out defender, one-touch into the top right corner
2-0.  61:05 FMU_W Kristina Syragakis (10) (Ashley Jordan) - quick flick into the box, over the keeper
 
Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 17, Barton 10 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 3 (Makayla Willets 3), Barton 4 (Cara Davis 4)