PEMBROKE, NC – In Conference Carolinas play, Francis Marion University women's soccer missed the mark despite holding a 19-3 shot advantage against rival UNC Pembroke in a 1-0 loss on Wednesday evening (Sept. 16) at Lumbee River EMC Stadium.
Francis Marion's overall record drops to 3-3, 1-1 in conference, while UNC Pembroke improves to 3-1-2, 2-0-1 in league play. The Patriots will face the Belmont Abbey College Crusaders on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Hartzler Field with a 4:30 p.m. kickoff.
Both sides recorded a shot on goal in the opening moments before the contest became a stalemate between the familiar foes. UNC Pembroke found its footing in the 22nd minute, as Emma Davis rocketed a shot just beyond the midfield line that dropped into the top right corner of the goal to put the Braves on the board, 1-0.
Francis Marion had several opportunities to register an equalizing goal in the first half after recording seven shots on goal. At the break, FMU held a 10-2 edge in shots while neither side had a corner kick.
The second half remained scoreless, but the Patriots had control of the game, adding nine more shots. Junior midfielder
Nalani Hunt nearly tied the game in the 77th minute after hitting the crossbar on a one-on-one opportunity. FMU was forced down to 10 players in the closing minutes and ultimately suffered the road loss.
Sophomore forward
Matea Bradfield and N. Hunt led Francis Marion with three shots, while four other Patriots shared two-a-piece.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Emma Erickson earned her first career start and registered one stop on three shots faced in 90 minutes of action.
