FLORENCE, SC – After a three-game road stretch, the Francis Marion University women's soccer team returned home to Hartzler Field and served up a sweet 3-0 victory over the University of Mount Olive in a Conference Carolinas divisional matchup on Wednesday evening (Oct. 7), treating fans to an ice cream giveaway along the way.
The Patriots improve their overall record to 9-3, 7-1 in conference, while UMO drops to 4-5-4 overall, 2-2-4 in league play. Francis Marion continues to excel and extends its win streak to six alongside six shutouts and a +25 goal differential.
The Patriots face rival UNC Pembroke on Saturday, Oct. 10 in a massive divisional bout with kickoff set for 5 p.m.
Sophomore forward
Matea Bradfield, graduate student forward
Tehya Dave', and freshman forward
Ryleigh Ackermann each scored for FMU. Junior midfielder
Nalani Hunt garnered two assists on the day while Dave' recorded an assist as well. Bradfield is, once again, the team leader in goals with 11, while Dave' spearheads the Patriots in points with 31 (10 G, 11 A). Dave' is in a four-way tie for second in single-season assists with 11.
Senior goalkeeper
Erin Grabeel registered two saves against UMO in her first home start since Sept. 9 against Catawba. Grabeel has tied Joanna Rish (1997-2000) for the FMU program record with 20.5 career shutouts following today's clean sheet.
The Patriots were able to convert off a free kick as graduate student midfielder
Camryn Bliss quickly dished it to Bradfield. She crossed it from the right-side of the box and hit the far post, which deflected the ball into the net in the 11th minute.
At the 30:41 mark, a pair of passes from N. Hunt and junior forward
Isabella Fregoso created an attacking opportunity for FMU. Dave' beat the Trojan defender, danced around the goalkeeper, and scored her 10th goal of the season.
The gameplay was steady from that point on, bleeding into the majority of the second half. That is, until Dave' orchestrated the offense by passing to N. Hunt before dropping it off to Ackermann. She delivered into the right side of the net to sweeten the deal in the 83rd minute, registering her first collegiate goal.
Francis Marion had a significant 20-3 shot advantage and controlled over 70% of the possession for the entire match. As for corner kicks, the Patriots held a 6-0 edge over the Trojans.
