FLORENCE, SC – Junior forward
Kristina Syragakis scored both goals for Francis Marion University, including the match-winner with 8:57 remaining, as the Patriots defeated North Greenville University 2-1 on Saturday (Oct. 5) afternoon.
Francis Marion (6-1-2, 5-0-1), winners of five straight, will take a break from Conference Carolinas league play to visit Mars Hill University on Wednesday (Oct. 9) for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. FMU is off to its best start in 20 seasons dating back to the 2004 squad that started 7-2-0.
The Patriots recoded a season-high 28 shots, including shooting 10 on frame. The Trailblazers (1-6-1, 1-4-0) recorded only three shots with one on goal. Francis Marion held a slight advantage in corner kicks, taking four compared to NGU's two.
FMU sophomore goalkeeper
Erin Grabeel did not recorded a save while playing all 90 minutes in goal. Trailblazer goalkeeper Haleigh Holland tallied eight saves.
In 71 minutes of playing time, Syragakis paced Francis Marion with 12 shots with six on goal. Graduate student
Ashley Jordan (3) and senior midfielder
Jordan White (3), and junior forward Tehya Davé (3) combined for an additional nine shots.
Francis Marion notched its first scoring opportunity in the 15th minute as junior midfielder
Haley Sink serviced a long pass into the box from the midfield. Syragakis then drew out Holland for an opening on the far side of the netting, scoring the first goal.
The Patriots held on to their 1-0 lead for the remainder of the first half.
FMU looked to double its margin in the 48th minute as a Syragakis attempted was denied by Holland. The rebound fell to the feet of Dave' but her follow-up shot from eight yards skied over the crossbar.
Sink and Syragakis saw their header attempts go wide in the 54th and 58th minutes respectively. White had two close shot attempts blocked in the 63rd minute.
North Greenville registered the equalizer goal at the 80:35 mark with a goal from Valerie Hernandez.
Just 28 seconds later, senior midfielder
Le'Landra Jarvis crossed a ball to the feet of Syragakis. Syragakis then settled and shot between two defenders into the top of the goal for the match-winner. Syragakis leads Conference Carolinas with 11 goals scored.
