MURFREESBORO, NC – Senior forward
Lucas Vila scored twice for the Patriots, including the game-winner in the 84th minute, as fifth-seeded Francis Marion University secured a 2-1 victory at No. 4 seed Chowan University on Saturday night (Oct. 31) in the Conference Carolinas Tournament Quarterfinals.
With the win, Francis Marion (14-4-2) advances to the semifinals of the league tournament to face another divisional foe, No. 8 Barton College, who knocked off top-seeded Young Harris College. The Patriots and Bulldogs will meet on Friday, Nov. 6, at Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park in Browns Summit, N.C., with kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Chowan closes out its 2026 campaign with a 9-5-2 record after claiming the East Division crown.
At the 3:27 mark of the first half, the Patriots set the tone, scoring the opening goal. After a poor clearance by the Chowan defense off a goal kick, Vila pounced on the loose ball and charged toward the 18-yard box. He delivered a left-footed strike that deflected off a defender and bounced over the diving goalkeeper for his seventh goal of the year.
The Hawks would survive the initial pressure by Francis Marion and start controlling possession as the first half continued. Chowan managed to tally three shots over a 15-minute stretch, which forced graduate student goalkeeper
Vicent Sanchis into a pair of saves. The Hawks found their equalizer in the 38th minute via a volley goal from eight yards out by Dillon Rajkovic, 1-1.
At the break, FMU held a 7-6 shot advantage and a 3-1 lead in corner kicks.
In the second half, it was the Patriots who would find the breakthrough in the closing moments. Graduate student midfielder
Filippo Noseda intercepted a pass in the Hawks' defensive half, which created a counterattacking chance. He produced a volley pass into the box which was buried from 11 yards out by Vila in the 84th minute, his second goal of the game, 2-1.
This postseason, Vila has accounted for three goals and currently holds the team lead with eight in 2026.
Sanchis earned the victory between the posts after registering five saves on 13 shots faced.
Francis Marion finished the quarterfinal match with a 14-13 edge on total shots while both sides recorded four corner kicks.
