AIKEN, SC – The freshmen duo of Davynn Godshall and Cora Lepper scored in their debut with the program on Sunday evening, as the Francis Marion University women's soccer team registered a 2-0 shutout victory at USC Aiken in the season-opener.

The Patriots (1-0-0) open the 2025 campaign with a win after being selected as the preseason favorite in the Conference Carolinas Coaches Poll. FMU will host its home-opener on Saturday, Sept. 13, with a league match scheduled against Chowan at 4:30 p.m.

The Patriot pressured the offensive end in the opening 10 minutes of the match after recording four shots and one corner kick. Senior Tehya Dave' placed a pair of shots on goal, followed by sophomore Gabbie Dubiel forcing a save by the goalie in the eighth minute. Freshman Madeline Ballard saw her first attempt of the contest sail just over the crossbar, while Lepper had a shot in front of goal that just missed wide of the net.

Following a six-player substitution by the Patriots in the 24th minute, FMU continued to push in the offensive zone. Francis Marion found its breakthrough at the 28:35 mark as Godshall fired a left-footed shot into the back of the net off an assist by sophomore Nalani Hunt, 1-0.

The Pacers closed the first half with three corner kick opportunities but were unable to record a shot on goal. At the break, FMU held a 9-3 edge in shots, including a 5-1 lead in shots on goal.

In the second half, the Patriots searched for another goal in the initial 12-plus minutes after tallying five shots and a pair of corner kicks. Francis Marion continued to pressure the Pacers in the closing minutes before sealing the contest in the 83rd minute. Lepper forced a turnover in USC Aiken's defensive half and charged forward to bury a one-on-one opportunity to extend the lead to 2-0 for the Patriots.

Junior Erin Grabeel collected the clean sheet following two saves on five shots faced in 90 minutes.

Francis Marion finished with a significant 21-5 edge in shots while boasting a 6-4 lead in corner kicks.