MURFREESBORO, NC – Freshman forward Cora Lepper scored the game-winning goal early in the second half, as the No. 17 ranked Francis Marion University women's soccer program battled to a 1-0 win at Chowan University in the regular season finale of Conference Carolinas play on Saturday evening (Nov. 1).

The Patriots finished the 2025 regular season with an impressive 15-1 overall record behind a 12-1 mark in league play. Entering postseason play, FMU has posted 14 shutout performances and holds a perfect 8-0 record on the road. Francis Marion secured the No. 1 overall seed in the Conference Carolinas Tournament and will receive a bye to the quarterfinals.

FMU returns to Hartzler Field on Saturday, Nov. 8, for the quarterfinals of the league tournament against the winner of the No. 8 Converse/ No. 9 North Greenville matchup. The time of the contest will be determined upon the release of women's and men's brackets by the conference office.

In the first half, the Patriots had an early look in the attacking area when senior forward Tehya Dave' hit the far-left post on a tight-angle shot in the fourth minute. Chowan responded with a dangerous free kick cross into the box at the 14:13 mark, which was cleared over the crossbar by freshman defender Laïla Ayup. The Hawks remained aggressive, forcing two saves by junior goalkeeper Erin Grabeel to keep the contest scoreless. In the 37th minute, Grabeel was called into action again with a diving save. Francis Marion countered with a pair of shots on goal by sophomore forwards Nalani Hunt and Chloe Pfaff, which both were stopped by the Chowan goalie.

At the break, the Hawks held an 11-6 edge in shots while the Patriots posted a 2-1 lead in corner kicks.

FMU established a 1-0 lead in the opening minutes of the second half after an initial shot by Dave' was saved, but rebounded to freshman forward Cora Lepper, who buried the right-footed shot from seven yards out in the 49th minute. Both teams continued to battle for possession before a penalty was awarded after N. Hunt was tackled in the box at the 70:35 mark. Sophomore defender Alana Hunt stepped to the spot and saw her attempted save by the keeper before a rebound shot sailed wide left of the goal. The Patriot defense held strong in the closing moments of the contest, including a big save by Grabeel in the 88th minute to seal the 1-0 road win.

Grabeel recorded her 13th shutout of the season after collecting five saves on 15 shots faced in 90 minutes of play.

Both sides finished with 15 total shots while FMU registered a 7-5 lead in shots on goal.