FLORENCE, SC – Following two goals in the opening 15 minutes of the first half, 17th-ranked Francis Marion University cruised past the University of Mount Olive by a 3-0 margin on Wednesday evening (Oct. 22) in women's soccer action at Hartzler Field.
The Patriots continue their impressive unbeaten run after improving 13-0-0 overall with a 10-0-0 mark in league competition. Francis Marion collects three divisional points for the victory and holds a five-point lead in the East Division standings. FMU has tallied 11 straight clean sheets with its shutout streak climbing to 1004:15 scoreless minutes.
FMU will play at Erskine College on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Francis Marion quickly established a 1-0 lead at the 6:31 mark following a pair of passes from senior forward
Tehya Dave' and freshman midfielder
Madeline Ballard. The ball was delivered to the top of the left side of the 18-yard box to freshman midfielder Georgia Allen-Aaron, who fired a shot on goal that deflected off a UMO defender into the top-left corner of the net.
Dave' extended the lead to 2-0 in the 15th minute after forcing a turnover and scoring her team-leading eighth goal from the top left corner of the 18-yard box. FMU dominated possession for the remainder of the first half and tallied four more shots on goal.
At halftime, the Patriots held a 10-3 shot advantage while boasting a 1-0 edge in corner kicks.
The Trojan offense responded in the initial 10-plus minutes of the second half, totaling four shots, including an attempt that hit the left post. The Patriots regained possession and saw a pair of chances hit the woodwork, attempting to increase their lead. At the 77:16 mark, Francis Marion sealed its 3-0 win after a header from junior defender
Natasha Tanner from six yards out found the right side of the goal.
Junior goalkeeper
Erin Grabeel secured one save on 10 shots faced in 90 minutes of play.
The Patriots outshot the Trojans by a 16-10 margin while holding a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
FMU remains one of only two NCAA Division II programs unbeaten and untied following a 1-0 win for Dallas Baptist University (13-0-0) over St. Edward's University on Wednesday.
