SALISBURY, NC – After conceding a goal early in the second half, the No. 4-seeded Francis Marion University women's soccer team suffered a 1-0 loss to No. 5 Lander University in the first round of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional on Friday (Nov. 21) at Frock Field on the campus of Catawba College.

The Patriots close out the 2025 season with an impressive 17-3-0 overall record, matching the most wins in a single season in program history. Francis Marion's 14-0-0 start was the best in the 31-year history of the Patriot women's soccer program. FMU secured its fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament (1998, 2000, 2024, 2025) and earned back-to-back appearances for the first time in team history.

Head coach Sam Holmes has revitalized the FMU women's soccer program in three years at the helm, posting a 37-12-8 mark with the Patriots. FMU was also featured in the national rankings for six straight weeks and climbed as high as No. 17.

Lander improves to 13-3-2 and advances to the second round to face No. 1 Catawba/No. 8 Belmont Abbey for a spot in the Southeast Regional final.

In the first half, Lander nearly scored in the opening seconds off the kickoff with a shot that hit the right woodwork. The Bearcats remained aggressive, tallying three additional shots in the initial seven minutes of the contest before senior forward Tehya Dave' had an attempted sail wide-right in the 10th minute. Following seven substitutions by the Patriots, Francis Marion settled in and controlled possession for portions of the final minutes of the first half. Sophomore midfielder Nalani Hunt and junior midfielder Jordan Dobson each registered a shot late in the half, but neither attempt hit the target.

At the break, Lander held a 10-3 advantage in shots while both sides attempted a corner kick.

Junior goalkeeper Erin Grabeel made an outstanding save in the 50th minute of the second half after pushing a save onto the crossbar. Following a yellow card on FMU at the 51:45 mark, Lander set up a free kick opportunity and capitalized to end the scoreless drought. Claire Regnault scored at the 51:59 mark for the Bearcats off an assist by Maddie Leber to take a 1-0 lead. The Patriots were in their offensive zone in the final eight minutes of the contest, totaling seven shots, including a pair on goal from Dave' and junior defender Natasha Tanner. Lander ultimately sealed the 1-0 victory to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Grabeel finished the match with three saves while facing 18 shots in 90 minutes of play.

Lander outshot Francis Marion by an 18-10 margin while holding a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.