FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University women's soccer team defeated the University of Mount Olive 2-1 on Saturday (Nov. 2) afternoon as the eight seniors were honored prior to their final home match.
 
Francis Marion, champions of Conference Carolinas' East Division, improves to 9-2-4 overall and 8-1-3 in league play.  The Patriots will await the announcement of the conference tournament bracket on Monday night to see if they receive a bye into the semifinals, set for Friday (Nov. 15) afternoon at Bryan Park in Browns Summit, N.C.
 
The Patriots outshot the Trojans 15-7 as junior forward Kristina Syragakis paced FMU with a goal and five shots, including four shots on frame. Junior forward Tehya Davé recorded the game-winning goal on one shot as four other Patriots combined for the remaining nine shots.
 
While playing all 90 minutes in goal, FMU sophomore goalkeeper Erin Grabeel made three stops, while Mount Olive's goalkeeper Samantha Gildner totaled seven saves.
 
Both Francis Marion and Mount Olive (7-4-5, 5-4-3) took three corner kicks apiece.
 
In the fourth minute of the first half, sophomore defender Joy Brockmann served a pass to senior forward Ashley Jordan near the top of the penalty area that she headed on to Syragakis. Syragakis then settled the pass and turned for a seven-yard shot that tipped off Gildner and into the bottom-right netting.
 
Syragakis' score was her 15th of the season, equaling the second-highest season total in program history.  Ashley Fortune (2004), Kirby Stenard (2007), Katie Riley (2002), and Kerri Williams (1995) all previously tallied 15 goals in one year.  The goal also tied Syragakis for sixth on the Patriot career scoring list with 29 goals – joining Stenard (2006-07), Denise Hornbeck (1997-2000), and Kendra Floyd (1995-98).
 
FMU junior midfielder Izzy Ashley hit the crossbar on a 26-yard attempt in the 21st minute as the Patriots looked to increase their advantage.
 
Gildner denied a pair of scoring opportunities when she stopped attempts by Jordan in the 58th minute and Syragakis in the 71st minute.
 
FMU did take a 2-0 lead later in the 71st minute as senior midfielder Linsey Downey sent a through ball to Syragakis who then touched the ball off to Davé.  Davé then slipped a 12-yard shot past Gildner and into the top-right netting for her seventh goal of 2024.
 
Trojan forward Yaneli Sanchez scored Mount Olive's goal at 76:48, and was assisted by Tianna Hill.
 
The eight seniors honored prior to kick-off were Jordan; Downey; forward Kiersten Yom; defenders Jordan White, JG Garon, and Riley Reynolds; and midfielders Le'Landra Jarvis and Haley Sink.