FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University women's soccer program continued its unbeaten run behind an eight-match winning streak and climbed three spots to No. 18 in the latest United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Top 25 poll on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 7).

The Patriots secured a pair of shutout victories last week to improve to 8-0-0 overall with a 6-0-0 in Conference Carolinas play. FMU is just one of three programs unbeaten and untied in NCAA Division II women's soccer. Additionally, third-year head coach Sam Holmes celebrated a career milestone on Saturday, Oct. 4, earning his 100th win following a 1-0 victory over Young Harris.

FMU continues Conference Carolinas play this evening, Tuesday, Oct. 7, with a road match at UNC Pembroke starting at 5 p.m. The Patriots host Belmont Abbey College in a rematch of the 2024 Conference Carolinas Championship on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Hartzler Field with kickoff set for 2 p.m.

Francis Marion remains third in the Southeast Region rankings behind a pair of programs in the top 10 nationally, No. 5 University of North Georgia and No. 8 Catawba College.

Defensively, the Patriots continue to be one of the top defensive units in the country, ranking second in DII with a 0.875 shutout percentage and third in goals-against average (.250). Francis Marion has recorded seven clean sheets in eight matches and is currently riding a 554:15 scoreless minutes streak, which is a program record.

Senior forward Tehya Dave' sits fifth in the Conference Carolinas with 12 total points, behind five goals and two assists. She ranks third in NCAA Division II with four game-winning goals this season and seventh in shot accuracy (.690). Junior goalkeeper Erin Grabeel is second in the country with seven shutouts and fourth with a .250 goals-against average.