FLORENCE, SC - Graduate student forward
Tehya Dave' and sophomore forward
Matea Bradfield each recorded a brace to help lead the Francis Marion University women's soccer team to its first win of the 2026 campaign in a 4-1 victory over USC Aiken on Hartzler Field Thursday afternoon. The game was called with just under ten minutes to go due to lightning.
The next match for the Patriots (1-0-0) is at home against No. 8 ranked Lenoir Rhyne University on Wednesday, September 2 at 5:30 p.m. FMU begins its conference conquest at Chowan University on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 4:30 p.m.
After earning five points against the Pacers, Dave' is now 11th all-time in career goals for FMU with 24, surpassing Sabina Sapienza (1999-2001). The Pittsburgh native also ranks 12th in program history with 61career points for the Patriots (24 goals, 13 assists).
Bradfield, a Western Kentucky University transfer, made a statement in her debut as a Patriot. She spearheaded the Patriots by scoring in the fifth minute, capitalizing on Dave' winning possession over USCA and sending a cross into the box for her to tap home.
USC Aiken quickly returned the favor in the 11th minute as freshman midfielder Olivia Pia scored her first collegiate goal to tie the match, 1-1.
Dave' reestablished FMU's lead in the 20th minute after pushing past multiple Pacers before firing a shot from roughly 20 yards out into the top-right corner of the net.
FMU carried its momentum into the second half, striking again in the 47th minute. Junior midfielder
Samantha Bodwell peppered a shot toward goal off a corner kick that was redirected into the net by Bradfield to increase the lead to 3-1.
Approaching the 59th minute, Dave' raced past USC Aiken's backline, driving up the right side before firing an uncontested shot into the lower-left corner of the net to complete her five-point performance (2 goals, 1 assist).
FMU finished with a total of 14 shots while USCA was limited to three. As for the corner kicks, Francis Marion delivered four while the Pacers tallied three.
