HICKORY, NC – Freshman Madeline Ballard delivered the game-winning goal in the 51st minute, as Francis Marion University knocked off No. 23 Lenoir-Rhyne on Wednesday evening (Sept. 24) in a non-conference regional women's soccer matchup.

The Patriots improve their unbeaten record to 5-0-0 overall, matching their best start since the 2000 season. The win tonight marks the program's first win over a nationally ranked opponent since a 2-1 victory over 19th-ranked Presbyterian College on Oct. 19, 2002. Francis Marion returns to Conference Carolinas play on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Hartzler Field for a matchup scheduled against Converse at 4:30 p.m.

Francis Marion had the best look of the first half in the fifth minute of the match after a shot by freshman Cora Lepper from 20 yards out hit the crossbar before being cleared by the LR defense. At the 14:58 mark, the Patriots produced another goal-scoring opportunity when a shot from Ballard at the near post was saved by the Lenoir-Rhyne goalkeeper. Just under three minutes later, senior Tehya Dave' saw her shot just sail wide right of the goal. In the 43rd minute, junior goalie Erin Grabeel made an outstanding stop in front of the goal to keep the contest scoreless heading into the break. FMU held a 5-3 advantage in shots at halftime while the Bears had a 2-1 edge in corner kicks.

In the second half, the Patriots found their breakthrough on a corner kick opportunity at the 50:39 mark. Following a kick into the box from sophomore Bryn Lahart, FMU junior Joy Brockmann delivered a pass to Ballard, who chipped it over the goalkeeper to take a 1-0 lead. The Bears maintained possession and pressured the FMU defense with five shots (1 on goal) and five corner kicks over the next 25 minutes searching for an equalizer. Both sides battled through heavy rainfall in the second half, but the Patriots held strong in the closing minutes to secure the win.

Grabeel secured the shutout victory after recording two saves on 10 shots faced in 90 minutes of play.

Ballard totaled a team-high four shots, including three on goal. Dave' and Lepper each registered three shots against the Bears.
 
Francis Marion finished with an 11-10 shot advantage over Lenoir-Rhyne, while the Bears finished with an 8-3 lead in corner kicks.