PEMBROKE, NC – Behind a trio of second-half goals, No. 18 ranked Francis Marion University propelled past UNC Pembroke on Wednesday evening (Oct. 7) in a 4-0 victory on the road in Conference Carolinas women's soccer action.

The Patriots match their best start in program history after improving to 9-0-0 for the first time since 1997. Francis Marion also remains perfect in Conference Carolinas play with a 7-0-0 record, including five victories in the East Division. Entering the match, FMU jumped three spots in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll to No. 18 and was one of three NCAA Division II programs unbeaten and untied.

Francis Marion returns to Hartzler Field this Saturday for a rematch of the 2024 Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship against Belmont Abbey College on Saturday, Oct. 11, with kickoff set for 2 p.m.

The Patriots featured standout performances courtesy of a brace by sophomore Nalani Hunt and a seven-save match by junior goalkeeper Erin Grabeel. Francis Marion secured their first shutout of the Braves since 2003 and handed their opponent its first four-goal defeat since a 4-0 loss to Columbus State in 2021.

UNC Pembroke registered the first shot of the contest in the opening minute, but senior forward Tehya Dave' countered with a shot in the fourth minute, which the UNCP keeper stopped. Grabeel tallied her first save on a free kick at the 18:02 mark before recording back-to-back stops in the 27th minute, including a one-on-one scoring chance against UNCP senior forward Mercy Bell. Following seven substitutions for the Patriots, Francis Marion found its breakthrough as a pass from sophomore midfielder Gabbie Dubiel allowed sophomore defender Ashley Geder to play a through ball to N. Hunt, who scored in the far post from 10 yards out on the right side of the box in the 31st minute, 1-0.

At halftime, the Patriots held an 8-4 shot advantage while both sides attempted a corner kick.

In the second half, the Braves totaled three shots in the opening 10 minutes with one attempt hitting the crossbar before Grabeel made a pair of stellar saves. Following a long pass from freshman defender Laïla Ayup, Dave' controlled the ball and delivered a cross to the top of the box. The pass found freshman midfielder Georgia-Allen Aaron, who slid a goal past the keeper into the bottom left corner at the 59:43 mark, 2-0. The Patriots increased their lead to 3-0 in the 80th minute after a free kick from junior defender Joy Brockmann sailed in front of the goal before a header by N. Hunt netted her second goal of the match. Just over three minutes later, junior defender Natasha Tanner scored on a free kick along the left goal line that hit the far post and deflected in, 4-0.

Grabeel delivered an impressive performance with a season-high seven saves on 12 shots faced in 90 minutes of action. The Patriots also extended their program record shutout streak to 644:15 scoreless minutes.

Francis Marion outshot UNCP by a 15-12 margin while the Braves finished with a 7-5 edge in corner kicks.