FLORENCE, SC – Forwards Juan Herrera and Matteo Benistant scored first-half goals and Francis Marion University made those scores stand up for a 2-1 win over visiting University of Mount Olive, Wednesday night (Oct. 22) in Conference Carolinas men's soccer play.
 
With the win, Francis Marion (7-3-3, 7-1-2) clinches at least a share of the conference's East Division title.  FMU won the first two division championships outright, and will go for a third straight in the season finale at Chowan University on Nov. 1.
 
The Patriots will return to the pitch on Saturday at Erskine College for a 3:30 p.m. kick-off.
 
Francis Marion outshot the Trojans 11-7 and took all six corner kicks that were awarded.
 
The Patriots looked to take an early lead in the 16th minute, but midfielder Mario Buelga's shot from near the top of the penalty area was blocked out for a corner kick.
 
At the 18:48 mark, Herrera scored his first goal of 2025 to put FMU up 1-0.  Buelga played a left-footed through ball to Herrera in the box, where he took a one-touch around the UMO goalkeeper Nick Cutlip, and buried an eight-yard shot.
 
The margin doubled to 2-0 when midfielder Antonio Garda played a through ball from the right side of the midfield circle to Benistant, who then took a couple of touches and slipped an eight-yard shot from a tight right angle inside the far post at 27:19.  It was his team-leading sixth goal of the season.
 
The Patriots nearly claimed a third goal later in the first half, but after much discussion, the offside flag was raised.
 
FMU defender Mathis Magat let fly with a laser chip shot from 20 yards that sailed just over the crossbar in the 50th minute as the Patriots continued to threaten.
 
The Trojans (2-7-5, 1-4-5) finally pierced the Patriot defense with a score at the 54:18 mark.  Kevin Jimenez corralled a loose ball at the top of the penalty area and fed a pass to Pierce Slater for a successful 13-yard shot from straight on.
 
Patriot reserve forward Edgar Zuber looked to restore the two goal margin in the 78th minute, but his 16-yard volley shot in the box was stopped by Cutlip as he came off his line.
 
Mount Olive had one final chance to draw even in the final minute, but Alagie Nije's turn-and-shoot attempt in the penalty area was hit well over the crossbar.
 
FMU senior goalkeeper Ian Milla earned the win after making three saves, while Cutlip finished with two stops.