SALISBURY, NC – Sophomore Thomas Kues and freshman Anton Jonsson scored on Francis Marion University’s first two shots of the new season and the Patriots rode that quick start to a 4-0 road win over Catawba College, Thursday evening (Sept. 3) in non-conference men’s soccer action.

Francis Marion (1-0-0) will play its home opener on Saturday when the Patriots entertain local-rival Coker College at 7 p.m. on Hartzler Field.  FMU has now won three of its four season openers under head coach John M. Campbell.

The winning margin equals the largest season-opening shutout victory in the 40-year history of the Patriot program.

Freshman goalkeeper Jonathan Mannes earned the shutout in goal as he made two saves in his collegiate debut.  The Auckland, New Zealand native was aided by a defensive backline that included two sophomores (Jayden Doyle and Gaspard Mianne), a freshman (Caleb Jenkins), and a senior (David Sheridan).  FMU allowed only six shots, and only two of those attempts were on frame.

Kues tallied his first career goal just 1:13 into the match when he lobbed a shot from the right side over the Catawba goalkeeper and into the net.  Jonsson used an assist from senior Sven Ricke to double the margin to 2-0 in the seventh minute.

FMU freshman Gael Mabiala upped the advantage to 3-0 when he scored on a one-on-one situation from the right side at the 40:18 mark.

The final score came when sophomore Harrison Smith converted a penalty kick at 67:33 after FMU sophomore Levin Sandmann was fouled in the box by Indian goalkeeper Christian Watts.

A fifth goal was disallowed in the 76th minute when sophomore forward Max Jenks-Gilbert was ruled offside on a free kick.

Francis Marion outshot Catawba 13-6 and held a slim 6-5 advantage in corner kicks.

"It was a great team effort, with everyone sticking to their tasks," said Campbell.  "We were also able to spread the scoring around which will be key this season.  Four different Patriots registered their first goals at FMU."

 

Francis Marion Univ. (1-0-0) def. Catawba (0-1-0) 4-0

Date: Sep 03, 2015  Attendance: 137

Goals by period          1  2  Tot

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Francis Marion Univ.  3  1 -  4

Catawba.............        0  0 -  0

SCORING SUMMARY:

1-0.   1:13 FMU Thomas Kues (1) (unassisted) - Lob over keepers head from right side

2-0.   6:47 FMU Anton Jonsson (1) (Sven Ricke)

3-0.  40:18 FMU Gael Mabiala (1) (unassisted) - One on one goal from right side

4-0.  67:33 FMU Harrison Smith (1) Penalty kick

Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 13, Catawba 6 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 2 (Jonathan Mannes 2), Catawba 2  (Christian Watts 2)