MOUNT OLIVE, NC – Despite holding a 15-6 edge in shots, Francis Marion University had to settle for a 0-0 tie at the University of Mount Olive, Wednesday night (Sept. 17) in Conference Carolinas men's soccer action.
 
Francis Marion (0-1-3, 0-0-2) will travel to conference newcomer Ferrum College for a 5:30 p.m. kick-off on Saturday.  The Patriots will then return home to entertain Mars Hill University on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 5 p.m.
 
FMU held a ball possession edge of 65 percent to 35 percent in Wednesday's contest, while recording the only five shots that were on frame.
 
Defender Mathis Magat and forward Matteo Benistant led Francis Marion with four shots apiece.
 
In the opening 45 minutes, graduate student midfielder Antonio Garda and Magat forced saves by UMO goalkeeper Nick Cutlip in the 23rd and 43rd minutes.  FMU midfielder Othmane Karoumi had a 17-yard chip shot in the box that sailed high and over the crossbar with 31 seconds left in the half.
 
FMU continued to press in the second stanza.  A dangerous cross sailed through the 6-yard box in the 48th minute, but no Patriot was able to knock it home.
 
Patriot senior midfielder Toufik Najem had the two best scoring opportunities in the final 45 minutes.  His curling 20-yard shot forced a diving save by Cutlip at 60:45 and his blast in the box at 87:13 facilitated another sprawling stop by Cutlip.
 
Cutlip, who finished with five saves, made his final stop on a late attempt by Benistant in the 90th minute.
  
FMU goalkeeper Juan Antonio Tripero Sanchez registered his first shutout as a Patriot despite not having to make a save.
 
Francis Marion held a 7-1 margin in corner kicks.