FLORENCE, SC – Paced by graduate student goalkeeper Alberto Aragoneses Lablanca, Francis Marion University registered a 0-0 tie with fifth-ranked Wingate University, Wednesday night (Sept. 11) in non-conference men's soccer action.
 
Francis Marion, which tied 16th-ranked Clayton State University on Saturday 1-1, moves to 0-1-2.  The Patriots will play their Conference Carolinas opener on Saturday when they host Southern Wesleyan University at 7 p.m.
 
In a statistically even contest, both squads recorded seven shots and four corner kicks.  FMU did hold a slight advantage in shot-on-goal, 5-4.
 
Aragoneses Lablanca finished with four saves, while Wingate freshman Moritz Conrad posted five stops.
 
The opening 45 minutes featured only two shots on target – one by each squad.  Aragoneses Lablanca turned aside an attempt by Pablo Pozos at the 10:16 mark, while an attempt by FMU graduate student forward Edorta Cabieces was snagged by Conrad at 41:12.  A potential goal by Francis Marion in the 10th minute was waved off as the offside flag went up.
 
In the second half, Conrad stopped a header by FMU defender Angel Cobo off a free kick in the 62nd minute, and Cabieces sent a volley shot outside the far post at 70:44.  A blast by Patriot midfielder Martin Juanche Gomez was pushed over the crossbar by Conrad at 71:16.
 
A turn-and-shoot sequence by FMU junior Juan Herrera was turned away by Conrad in the 78th minute.
 
The Bulldogs managed a narrow 52-to-48 percent ball possession edge.