FLORENCE, SC – Graduate student midfielder
Filippo Noseda and senior forward
Lucas Vila each netted their first goal as a Patriot, as the Francis Marion University men's soccer program secured a 2-0 victory over rival Coker University on Sunday night (Aug. 30) at Hartzler Field.
The Patriots (1-0-1) remain unbeaten following their initial two matches of 2026 and will close out a three-game homestand on Wednesday (Sept. 2) with a matchup at 3 p.m. against Auburn University Montgomery, the preseason favorites in the Gulf South Conference (GSC). Francis Marion improves to 25-12-8 in the all-time series while earning its first shutout over Coker since 2019.
Francis Marion established an early lead just moments into the first half, as Vila had his initial shot saved before Noseda collected the loose ball and scored his first career goal at FMU in the 3rd minute.
Just 45 seconds later, the Cobras were awarded a penalty kick at the 3:18-mark following a handball inside the 18-yard box. Coker sophomore Christian Johnson stepped to the spot and saw his shot saved by graduate student goalkeeper
Vicent Sanchis on a diving stop to his left.
The Cobras continued to threaten in the offensive half over the next 10-plus minutes as sophomore defender
Stiward Palacios made an outstanding team save on a 1-on-1 opportunity to keep FMU in front. In the 13th minute, Coker saw a header hit the woodwork and eventually cleared by the Patriot defense.
FMU added to its lead in the 16th minute, as Vila and senior forward
Volkan Celikkol connected on a quick one-two pass before a delayed delivery allowed Vila to bury his first FMU goal to take a 2-0 advantage.
At the halftime break, both sides were tied at five shots while the Patriots held a 2-1 edge on corner kicks.
Despite Coker controlling possession for portions of the second half, the FMU defense held strong to secure the 2-0 shutout win. The Patriots still outshot the Cobras 8-5 in the second half while both sides recorded three corner kicks.
Sanchis secured his first career win at Francis Marion following a four-save performance, including a critical penalty save in the opening minutes.
