AIKEN, SC – Francis Marion University freshman defender Megan Misuraca’s overtime goal secured a 3-2 victory over USC Aiken, Wednesday evening (Oct. 11) in Peach Belt Conference women’s soccer action.

FMU (4-6-0, 1-5-0) will host 16th-ranked Columbus State on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The Pacers fall to 3-10-0 and 1-6-0 on the campaign.

After several shots by both teams in the first 35 minutes of the game, freshman Kylie McElroy put Francis Marion up 1-0 with a chip shot over USCA’s senior goalkeeper Karin Cadwalader’s head at the 35:42 mark. Misuraca had played a looping ball into the top of the penalty box where McElroy gained possession.

The Patriots held that lead for most of the match, but a pair of seniors for USCA scored in the last 10 minutes of play to give the Pacers a 2-1 lead. The first goal scored by Brye Epley came at the 84:06 mark, followed by Tori Caldwell only 1:23 later at 85:29.

However, FMU was not finished as freshman defender Dayle McEwen scored off a Holly Bowman corner kick with 51 seconds left in regulation, tying the score at 2-2.  McEwen leads FMU with four goals this season.

Following a corner kick by Caldwell in overtime, Misuraca gained control of the ball and sprinted up the middle of the field, and after a long run, delivered the winning shot from 15 yards out with 12 seconds remaining in the first overtime period. This was Misuraca’s second game-winning goal of the season and third overall.

FMU sophomore goalkeeper Micahla Kitchen collected a career-high 10 saves on the night, while Cadwalader had three.

The Pacers outshot Francis Marion 17-8 and led in the corner kick category 5-3.

Francis Marion Univ. (4-6; 1-5) def. USC Aiken (3-10; 1-6) 3-2 OT

Date: Oct 11, 2017  Attendance: 107

Goals by period          1  2 OT  Tot

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Francis Marion Univ.  1  1  1 -  3

USC Aiken...........       0  2  0 -  2

SCORING SUMMARY:

1-0.  35:42 FMU_W Kylie McElroy (3) (Megan Misuraca) - flick over keeper

1-1.  84:06 USCA Brye Epley (1) (Sarah Moore) - up center  goal off block

1-2.  85:29 USCA Tori Caldwell (2) (unassisted) - shot from left to top right, 20 yrds out

2-2.  89:09 FMU_W Dayle McEwen (4) (Holly Bowman) - Corner kick

3-2.  99:48 FMU_W Megan Misuraca (3) (unassisted) - sprint up center, shot over keeper 15 yrds out

Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 8, USC Aiken 17; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 10 (Micahla Kitchen 10), USC Aiken 3 (Karin Cadwalader 3)