FLORENCE, SC – Catawba College scored three unanswered goals to erase an early deficit and then hung on for a 3-2 road win over Francis Marion University, Saturday evening (Sept. 6) in men's non-conference soccer action.
 
Francis Marion (0-1-1) will open Conference Carolinas play on Saturday (Sept. 13) against Chowan University at 7 p.m. on Hartzler Field.
 
FMU took an early 1-0 advantage when midfielder Othmane Karoumi took a short corner kick and fired an 18-yard shot from the top of the box into the netting at the 1:09 mark.  It was the French international's second score of 2025.
 
Catawba (1-1-0) answered with the tying goal by Mate Kenyeres at 28:11 and the two sides went into the locker room at halftime knotted at 1-1.   The Patriots tallied nine first-half shots, but outside the goal, only one of the other attempts was on frame.
 
Tomas Kelly put Catawba ahead 2-1 in the 59th minute and Kenyeres slotted home his second score at 78:58 to up the margin to 3-1.
 
The Patriots drew to within 3-2 at 87:01 when graduate student forward Matteo Benistant converted a penalty kick.  His attempt went straight down the middle as Catawba goalkeeper Hector Vara drove to his left.
 
FMU did earn a later corner kick in an attempt to again tie the score, but no shot followed.  With 45 seconds remaining, the ball was played into the box and Patriot junior midfielder Daniel Miranda redirected it for a shot, but the attempt sailed outside the left post.
 
Francis Marion outshot the Catawba Indians 14-13 and led in corner kicks 6-2.
 
Patriot graduate student goalkeeper Juan Antonio Tripero Sanchez recorded five saves, while his counterpart Vara registered two saves for Catawba.