FLORENCE, SC – Jessica Scales scored on a short flick shot with 2:10 left in regulation to give Georgia Southern University a 2-1 season-opening win over Francis Marion University, Friday night (Aug. 22) in women’s college soccer action.

Francis Marion (0-1-0) will return to action on Friday night (Aug. 29) when the Patriots travel to play SEC power Kentucky.  Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. on the SEC Digital Network.

After a scoreless first half, FMU scored only 3:59 into the second stanza.  Senior forward Elizabeth Asare dribbled down the right side of the box and fired a shot that GSU keeper Katie Merson saved but could not corral.  The rebound came to senior forward Chanel Harris who pounded the ball into the back of the net for her 15th career tally.

Georgia Southern responded and tied the score less than 10 minutes later.  Junior forward Nora El-Shami dribbled across the top of the penalty area before turning and scoring from 13 yards out at the 58:22 mark.

The winning score came as Eagle senior Sydney Keer looped the ball into the 6-yard box where Scales flicked the ball past FMU junior goalkeeper Taylor O’Berry.

O’Berry, who ranked 23rd nationally last season in total saves, registered three stops.  Merson was also credited with three saves.  Georgia Southern outshot Francis Marion 18-6 and led 8-5 in corner kicks.

Both senior defender Brittney Smith and sophomore midfielder Allie Duckworth also made defensive stops inside the goalie box (one in each half) that prevented further GSU scoring.

The six FMU shots were credited to sophomore Kelly Anthony, Asare, and Harris with each player getting off two attempts.

 

Georgia Southern U. (1-0-0) def. Francis Marion Univ. (0-1-0) 2-1

Date: Aug 22, 2014  Attendance: 177

Weather: Hot, Partly Sunny, 96, winds W @ 7 mph

Goals by period          1   2    Tot

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Georgia Southern U..  0   2 -  2

Francis Marion Univ.   0   1 -  1

SCORING SUMMARY:

1-0.  48:59 FMU Chanel Harris (1) (Elizabeth Asare) - 5-yard shot off rebound of GK save

1-1.  58:22 GS El-Shami, Nora (1) (unassisted) - 13-yard shot

1-2.  87:50 GS Scales, Jessica (1) (Keer, Sydney) - short flick that gets by the keeper

Shots: Georgia Southern 18, Francis Marion 6 ; Saves: Georgia Southern 3 (Merson, Katie 3), Francis Marion 5 (Taylor O'Berry 3; TEAM 2)