FLORENCE, SC – Following the best start in program history, the Francis Marion University women's soccer program moved up to No. 17 in the latest United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Top 25 poll on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 14).
The Patriots are off to a historic start to the 2025 campaign after posting a 10-0-0 overall mark for the first time in program history. Francis Marion secured two of their best victories of the year last week with a 4-0 road win at UNC Pembroke on Tuesday (Oct. 7) before defeating Belmont Abbey College 2-0 on Saturday (Oct. 11) in a rematch of the 2024 Conference Carolinas Championship. The Patriots are one of two NCAA Division II programs unbeaten and untied in women's soccer.
FMU returns to Hartzler Field on Wednesday, Oct. 15, to face Barton College on Cowbell Giveaway Night with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. The Patriots continue their homestand this weekend with a matchup against Ferrum on Senior Day this Saturday, Oct. 18, at 4 p.m.
Francis Marion continues to rank third in the Southeast Region rankings behind No. 4 University of North Georgia and No. 8 Catawba College, who remained in the Top 10 nationally this week.
The Patriots are one of the top defensive units in NCAA Division II, boasting a .900 shutout percentage behind nine clean sheets in 10 matches, which ranks second in the country. FMU also sits second nationally with a .200 goals-against average after surrendering just two goals in 2025. Offensively, Francis Marion ranks ninth in assists per game (2.60) and 15th overall in shots on goal per game (9.30).
Individually, senior forward
Tehya Dave' sits third in NCAA Division II and paces the Conference Carolinas with five game-winning goals. She ranks among the top five in the league with six goals and 15 total points this year. Freshman midfielder
Madeline Ballard is tied for the conference lead with five assists in her first collegiate season at Francis Marion. Junior goalkeeper
Erin Grabeel ranks second in the nation with nine shutouts and seventh in save percentage (.917).
