FLORENCE, SC – Junior Amber Miller scored on a header in the 52nd minute to lift Appalachian State University to a narrow 1-0 win over Francis Marion University, Sunday afternoon (Oct. 27) in non-conference women’s soccer action.

Francis Marion will conclude its 2013 season on Wednesday with a 2 p.m. kickoff at The Citadel in Charleston.

Appalachian State outshot the Patriots 9-8 and held a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.

FMU sophomore goalkeeper Taylor O’Berry recorded three saves, while junior Jordan Hatton registered three saves for the Mountaineers (8-5-4).

Prior to kickoff on Sunday, FMU recognized its two seniors: midfielders Yasmin Bunter and Jordan Allen.  Both players were appearing in their 68th career match.

The two teams battled through a scoreless first stanza.  FMU junior Brittney Smith fed Elizabeth Asare with a through ball that Asare took, turned, and blasted a shot from the right side of the box that just missed the far post at the 12:16 mark.  FMU freshman Kelly Anthony pinged a 30-yard free kick narrowly over the crossbar in the 30th minute.

The match’s lone score came at 51:24.  Sophomore Merlin Beckwith began the sequence by beating a Patriot defender near the left sideline and then dribbling into the penalty area where she crossed the ball into the 6-yard box.  Miller arrived and snapped the ball into the net for her first score of the year.

The Patriots threatened to score an equalizing goal, but were unable to beat Hatton.  Harris received a long free kick from Anthony, but Harris’ turn-and-shoot effort from eight yards was easily handled by Hatton in the 73rd minute.  Patriot junior Sandy Odembo took a free kick from near the left sideline corner flag that was punched away by Hatton for a Patriot corner kick.  On the ensuing corner by Bunter, the ball bounced off the back of FMU freshman Caroline Edmonds, but was cleared off the goal line by a Mountaineer defender at the 73:52 mark.

Edmonds later forced Hatton to make a diving stop on a 13-yard attempt in the 78th minute.

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