FLORENCE, SC – A first-minute goal led to a 1-0 loss for Francis Marion University against Mars Hill University, Wednesday evening (Sept. 24) in non-conference men's soccer play.
 
Francis Marion (1-2-3) will return Conference Carolinas play on Saturday when the Patriots entertain Converse University at 7 p.m. on Hartzler Field.
 
The Patriots outshot the Lions 12-1 and held a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.
 
FMU played the opening kick-off to its backline, but a heavy touch led to a turnover, and Mars Hill's Charlie Drury gained possession and sent a curling 17-yard shot over FMU goalkeeper Juan Antonio Tripero Sanchez and into the netting with only six seconds off the clock.
 
The Patriots had several opportunities to register an equalizing goal in the opening half.  FMU midfielder Antonio Garda had a long bouncing shot that was pushed aside by Mars Hill goalkeeper Logan Cassel.
 
Forward Matteo Benistant came charging into the box at the 16:57 mark and unleased a 15-yard shot that denied by a Lions defender near the goal line.  Senior forward Elian Aguilar Valencia had a long shot smothered by Cassel at 23:32.
 
In the final four minutes of the opening stanza, senior Juan Herrera had a 25-yard blast following a free kick that was stopped by Cassel and less than a minute later Aguilar Valencia's attempt near the penalty spot after a corner kick was blocked by the Mars Hill defense.
 
The second half featured only two shots, both of which were blocked and did not reach the goal: Toufik Najem in the 53rd minute and Benistant in the 88th minute.
 
Garda led Francis Marion with three shots, while Benistant and Aguilar Valencia had two apiece.

The contest was a rematch of last season's first-round match in the NCAA Tournament that saw the score tied at 0-0, but Mars Hill advanced 5-3 in penalty kicks.