FLORENCE, SC – Graduate student forward John Osadolor converted a pair of headers near the 6-yard box to propel Francis Marion University to a 3-1 non-conference win over previously unbeaten Catawba College, Wednesday evening (Sept. 18) in men soccer action.
 
Francis Marion improves to 2-1-2 and will return to Conference Carolinas action on Saturday with a 4 p.m. contest at Chowan University.
 
The Patriots outshot Catawba 9-7 and held a commanding 10-3 advantage in corner kicks.
 
One of those corners proved crucial in the opening half at the 4:16 mark.  On the play, midfielder Martin Juanche Gomez sent the corner in from the right flag and Catawba goalkeeper Zak Stiffler deflected the ball into the goal for an early 1-0 Patriot lead.
 
The advantage doubled at 17:50 when Osadolor scored his first goal.  The sequence began with a Juanche Gomez throw-in that found sophomore midfielder Camilo Salazar in the penalty area.  Salazar lifted a short chip pass that Osadolor headed in from seven yards out.
 
Catawba (1-1-3) answered with its only score 29 seconds later.  Bautista Vecchi-Ramello intercepted a Francis Marion back pass, dribbled around FMU graduate student goalkeeper Alberto Aragoneses Lablanca, and scored into the open net from 15 yards out.
 
FMU forward Edorta Cabieces looked to up the Patriot lead in the 51st minute, but Stiffler made an outstanding kick save on a strong 13-yard shot.
 
Osadolor completed the scoring at 56:01.  Junior Juan Herrera laid the ball off to Cabieces who sent a one-touch chip pass to the top of the 6-yard box and Osadolor finished the play with a convincing header.  Osadolor leads the Patriots with four goals this season.
 
Aragoneses Lablanca, the reigning Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Week, finished with two saves – one in each half.  Stiffler registered four saves.