SPARTANBURG, SC – Converse College scored two goals in a five-minute span early in the second half to break open a close match and the Valkyries went on to claim a 5-0 win over Francis Marion University, Tuesday evening (Sept. 13) in non-conference women’s soccer action.

The Patriots (0-5-0) will return home to entertain the University of Montevallo on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. as FMU returns to Peach Belt Conference play for the first time in 12 years.

Francis Marion junior goalkeeper Casey Murakami registered a career-high equaling 10 saves.  The Charleston native entered the match ranked 53rd nationally in NCAA Division II for total saves.

The Patriots got off a season-high 11 shots – led by four from senior Tori Whigham and three by freshman Emily Brommer – while the Valkyries tallied 22 shots.  The Patriots held a 3-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Converse’s Nicole Doolittle scored the only goal of the first half in the third minute as the teams went to the locker room at halftime separated by only one score.

However, the Valkyries registered goals in the 53rd and 57th minutes to pull away.

Goalkeeper Josee Waitrovich made four stops while earning the shutout for Converse.

Second-year FMU head coach Lindsey Morgan said after the match, “We have had a very tough stretch the past week with results, and tonight we had the same thing happen.  In order for us  to bounce back, we must hold ourselves accountable, not have any excuses, and more forward together as a team. We have a tough match ahead that opens conference play and it is time to go to work tomorrow.”

Converse (2-2-1) def.  Francis Marion Univ. (0-5-0) 5-0

Date: Sep 13, 2016  Attendance: 173

Goals by period          1  2  Tot

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Francis Marion Univ.  0  0 -  0

Converse............        1  4 -  5

SCORING SUMMARY:

1-0.   2:28 CONVERSE Nicole Doolittle (1) (unassisted) - misplay by keeper middle of box

2-0.  52:01 CONVERSE Hallie Lycans (2) (Cassidy Marshall) - off rebound, drop off middle of box far post

3-0.  56:44 CONVERSE Melissa Carlyle (1) (Anna Meister) - off the defender far post

4-0.  65:51 CONVERSE Johanna Gelz (1) (Mariah Elliott) - outside box top shelf.

5-0.  74:47 CONVERSE Mariah Elliott (1) (Julia Babic) - off the free kick deflection far post

Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 11, Converse 22 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 10 (Casey Murakami 10), Converse 4 (Josee  Waitrovich 4)