FLORENCE, SC – Despite a late rally that included a penalty kick score by sophomore forward Levin Sandmann, Francis Marion University fell to Flagler College 2-1, Tuesday evening (Nov. 1) in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Peach Belt Conference Men’s Soccer Tournament.

Francis Marion, which had beaten the Saints 3-2 in overtime last Wednesday in Florida, ends its season at 8-8-1.  Flagler (7-8-1) moves on to the tournament semifinals in Evans, Ga., on Friday morning. It was the Patriots’ first home loss in PBC Tournament play since 2002.

Flagler held a 1-0 advantage at halftime thanks to a 24th minute goal by Oscar Davidsson.  The Saints doubled their margin to 2-0 at the 74:09 mark when Rostand N. Essomba tallied an unassisted goal.

Sandmann cut the margin in half with his score from the penalty spot at 78:37.  It was his 13th goal of the year – the most by a Patriot in 13 seasons dating back to a 14-goal performance by Ben Chavolla in 2003.

Over the final 10 minutes, Francis Marion earned three corner kicks, including one by Sandmann in the final minute that resulted in a shot on goal by junior midfielder Gaspard Mianne, but that effort was stopped by Flagler goalkeeper Lex Craggs

FMU ended the match with a 16-10 edge in shots and a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks.  Craggs finished with eight saves, while FMU sophomore goalkeeper Jonathan Mannes registered three stops.

Sandmann led the Patriots with five shots, four which were on frame.  The Patriots do not list a senior on their 2016 roster.

Flagler (7-8-1) def. Francis Marion Univ. (8-8-1) 2-1

Date: Nov 01, 2016  Attendance: 71

Weather: 71, w: 4 mph, clear

Goals by period          1  2  Tot

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Flagler.............             1  1 -  2

Francis Marion Univ.  0  1 -  1

SCORING SUMMARY:

1-0.  23:54 FLG Oscar Davidsson (6) (Juan Membreno) -  7 scores on a pass from 10

2-0.  74:09 FLG Rostand N. Essomba (3) (unassisted) -  14 makes a move on the defender in the box and scores

2-1.  78:37 FMU Levin Sandmann (13) Penalty kick

Shots: Flagler 10, Francis Marion Univ. 16 ; Saves: Flagler 8 (Lex Craggs 8), Francis Marion Univ. 3 (Jonathan Mannes 3)

PBC Tournament Quarterfinal match