FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University featured three different goal scorers on Wednesday night (Oct. 28), as the Patriots produced a 3-0 shutout over King University at Hartzler Field in the opening round of the Conference Carolinas Men's Soccer Tournament.
With the win, the Patriots (13-4-2) advance to the quarterfinals to face divisional foe Chowan University on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. in Murfreesboro, N.C. It will mark the third meeting between the sides this season, with both sides collecting victories on the road.
Meanwhile, the Tornado finished the 2026 season with a 2-13-2 overall mark.
In the 17th minute, graduate student defender
Tim Wilkening delivered a stellar through ball from beyond midfield, which was collected by senior forward
Lucas Vila just outside the box. Vila drove forward and slotted a shot off the left post and into the back of the net for his sixth goal of the season, 1-0.
At the 22:42 mark, King goalkeeper David Cavanaugh was assessed a yellow card following a late challenge just outside the box, which proved pivotal later in the first half.
The Tornado nearly tied the contest in the 36th minute as a shot on goal hit the crossbar. Francis Marion regrouped with junior forward
Jose Coutinho and graduate student defender
Valentin Fritz connecting on a pass down the right side. Fritz delivered the cross into the box where junior forward
Marc Hernandez belted a header into the net at the 37:21 mark for his second goal of the year, 2-0.
In the 41st minute, Cavanaugh would be issued a second yellow card after touching the ball with his hand outside the 18-yard box, resulting in a red card and forcing King down to 10 men.
The Patriots would ultimately net an insurance goal in the second half, as sophomore
Sebastian Gough had an initial attempt blocked before gathering the loose ball and scoring off the right post for his second of the season, 3-0.
Graduate student goalkeeper
Vicent Sanchis earned his eighth clean sheet of the 2026 after tallying three saves on seven shots faced.
Francis Marion finished with a 14-7 advantage in total shots while boasting a 6-3 edge in corner kicks.
