ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – Junior Sven Ricke and freshman Shahin Hemat scored first-half goals and Francis Marion University rode that early advantage to a stunning 3-1 win over fourth-ranked Flagler College, Saturday night (Sept. 14) in Peach Belt Conference men’s soccer action.

 

Francis Marion remains unbeaten at 2-0-1 and wins its PBC opener for the first time in four seasons.  The win equals the highest-ranked opponent FMU has ever beaten in its 38-year history.  The Patriots beat a fourth-ranked USC Spartanburg squad 2-1 on the road in 2002.

 

“The boys were organized and disciplined,” said second-year FMU head coach John Campbell. “We put in a team effort and were able to capitalize on our chances.  Needless to say, the boys are very excited.”

 

Ricke intercepted a pass at the top of box and snuck the ball in under the crossbar for a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute.  Hemat took a pass from sophomore midfielder Pascal Magiera and deftly dropped the ball into the lower left corner of the goal for a 2-0 advantage at 38:06.  It was Hemat’s second score in as many matches.

 

Flagler trimmed the margin to 2-1 at the 54:42 mark when Marco Warren tallied an unassisted goal from 16 yards out, but the Patriots regained a two-goal margin in the 73rd minute when senior forward Cody Farrier scored on a chip shot over the Flagler goalkeeper.  Both Hemat and Magiera were credited with assists on the goal.

 

After the Saints pulled to with one goal, Flagler attempted to tie the match by way of four corner kicks and three shots before Farrier registered his clinching score.

 

Overall, Flagler held a slight advantage in shots, 16-14, and the Saints led 9-2 in corner kicks.

 

FMU freshman goalkeeper Nick Stover recorded six saves in a return to his native state of Florida, while Flagler’s Camp Bissell made three stops.

 

 

 

 

Francis Marion Univ. (2-0-1, 1-0-0 PBC) def. Flagler (2-2-0, 0-1-0 PBC) 3-1

Date: Sep 14, 2013  Attendance: 137

Weather: 87; ptly. cldy.; 67% humid; w:13 mph across field

 

Goals by period       1  2  Tot

-------------------------------

Francis Marion Univ.  2  1 -  3

Flagler.............  0  1 -  1

 

SCORING SUMMARY:

1-0.  27:21 FMU_M Sven Ricke (1) (unassisted) - intercepted pass top of 20, snuck in under crossbar

2-0.  38:06 FMU_M Shahin Hemat (2) (Pascal Magiera) - short pass to 19, soft shot lower left corner

2-1.  54:42 FLG Marco Warren (1) (unassisted) - knocked in inside 20 off deflected clear

3-1.  72:06 FMU_M Cody Farrier (1) (Shahin Hemat;Pascal Magiera) - touch pass to middle of box, 9 chipped keeper

 

Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 14, Flagler 16 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 6 (Nick Stover 6), Flagler 3 (Camp Bissell 3)