FLORENCE, SC - Despite sophomore forward
Matea Bradfield scoring in a fourth-straight game, Francis Marion University dropped a 2-1 decision against #9 Catawba College on Wednesday evening (Sept. 9) on Hartzler Field in a non-conference women's soccer match.
The Patriots (2-2) will travel to Wingate University on Saturday to conclude their non-conference slate before playing 12 consecutive league matches. Kickoff against the Bulldogs is slated for 5 p.m.
Bradfield continued her scoring streak, finding the back of the net in every game this season to lead the Patriots with six goals. She entered tonight's contest ranked among the top five in NCAA Division II in points and goals. This season, Bradfield has tallied 14 points while scoring six times on just nine shots.
Just two-plus minutes into the match, Catawba jumped on the board as Bree Ehmer played Harper Dussouy in on the right side of the box before delivering a cross from the end line. Ella Matthew received the pass and dispatched it into the goal from the near post into the middle of the net.
The Patriots responded with three consecutive shots midway through the first half, as graduate student forward
Tehya Dave' missed a near goal over the crossbar in the 18th minute. Despite recording three shots on goal, all three opportunities were comfortably saved by the Catawba goalkeeper.
In the second half, FMU battled for possession with the Catawba Indians for a majority of the half but struggled to capitalize on its opportunities. Catawba quickly gained a two-goal lead in the 48th minute as Matthews netted her second goal of the game.
Francis Marion cut the deficit to one in the 72nd minute, as Bradfield collected a loose ball and beat the goalkeeper at the far post with a left-footed shot.
The Patriots had a pair of late opportunities in the final minutes but were unable to find an equalizer. Junior midfielder
Gabbie Dubiel sent a shot high in the 83rd minute before recording FMU's final attempt one minute later with a similar result.
Despite the late push, Francis Marion still outshot Catawba 16-8, with each team placing six shots on goal. Both teams recorded three corner kicks, while senior goalkeeper
Erin Grabeel made four saves after facing a season-high eight shots.
