BANNER ELK, NC – The Patriots extended their hot streak with a fifth straight shutout on Saturday morning as graduate student forward
Tehya Dave' and junior forward
Isabella Fregoso scored in the second half for Francis Marion University in the 2-0 victory over Lees-McRae College (Oct. 3) on Tate Field in Conference Carolinas women's soccer play.
Francis Marion boosts its overall record to 8-3, 6-1 in conference, while Lees-McRae drops to 5-2-3 overall, 4-1-2, handing the Bobcats their first conference loss. After securing the win, FMU has scored 22 goals in its last five games and is on a 518:07 scoreless-minutes streak following another shutout win.
After a three-game road stretch, the Patriots return to Hartzler Field on Wednesday, Oct. 7, to host the University of Mount Olive at 4:30 p.m. FMU will celebrate its anticipated return with an Ice Cream Giveaway for FMU students.
FMU recorded just one shot in the first half, coming in the sixth minute. Despite a physical battle in the midfield and strong defensive efforts from both sides, neither team managed to find the back of the net before halftime.
In the second half, the Patriots turned up the heat, relentlessly challenging the Bobcats' backline. In the 65th minute, Francis Marion won the set piece as sophomore defender
Laïla Ayup sent a free kick just outside the box, which found its way to Fregoso. She finished the opportunity to give the Patriots a much-needed breakthrough, her fifth goal of the season.
Francis Marion never let Lees-McRae catch its breath. Freshman forward
Ava Grieves took the ball from Lees-McRae and put it in Dave' vicinity. Dave' weaved through the midfield, marched past the defense, and scored into the high-right corner in the 67th minute of play for her ninth goal of 2026.
With the goal, Dave' (31 goals, 21 assists) moved into a tie for fifth all-time with Kendra Floyd (1995-98) with 83 career points with the Patriots.
In the 75th minute, Lee-McRae unleashed three consecutive shots, but senior goalkeeper
Erin Grabeel stood her ground, turning away each attempt to preserve the Patriots' lead.
Grabeel made her first start since Wingate back on Sept.12 due to injury. She played all 90 minutes and recorded three saves.
The shot count was 10-6 in favor of the Patriots. Francis Marion won the corner kick battle 4-1
