FLORENCE, SC – The Winthrop women’s soccer team fell to the Francis Marion Patriots 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at FMU Soccer Field.

The Eagles fall to 1-3 on the season, while the Patriots improve to 2-3-1 overall.

“I was disappointed with the way we came out in the first half,” said head coach Spencer Smith. “I just felt like we were flat for the first 45 minutes and even parts of the second half. It seems like we woke up in the second half and mounted some attacks. At the end of the day Francis Marion was just better than us. We have to learn from this game and get ready for the next one.”

Francis Marion came out quickly in the 3^rd minute to go ahead of Winthrop 1-0 on Yasmin Bunter’s second goal of the season. Bunter received the ball on a through pass by Teri Kourtis and had a one-on-one opportunity against Eagle goalkeeper Sarah Schippers. Bunter beat Schippers and scored in the left side of the net.

Winthrop attempted to tie the contest in the 18^th minute when Kylene Babauta had a shot attempt from inside the six-yard box stopped by Patriot goalkeeper Lauren Vetock.

Francis Marion outshot the Eagles 11-7 in the opening stanza, and 9-3 in attempts on-net. The Patriots also held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks. Krystyna Freda led Winthrop with four shots, while Schippers snagged eight saves. Bunter took a team-best four shots for the Patriots, and Vetock had three saves.

Erin Breen gave Francis Marion a 2-0 lead in the 56^th minute on a free kick from the top of the 18-yard box. The Patriots were awarded the free kick after being fouled by an Eagle defender on a breakaway opportunity.

Winthrop had an opportunity to cut its deficit in half during the 79^th minute on a shot by Allie VandeWater from the top of the 18-yard box, but her shot hit the crossbar and was cleared out by the Francis Marion defense.

The Eagles made it a 2-1 game in the 88^th minute on Ariel Kunde’s second goal of the season. Kunde gained possession of the ball from 21 yards out on a chip pass from Grace Radler over the Patriot defense and scored from eight yards out. The assist by Radler was the first of her career.

Winthrop finished the contest with a 21-13 lead in shots and tied Francis Marion with 11 shots on-goal. The Patriots took eight corner kicks to the Eagles’ four. Freda attempted a team-high six shots for Winthrop, and Schippers tied her career-high in saves with nine. Bunter and Elizabeth Asare each took four shots for Francis Marion, while Vetock finished the match with 10 saves.

The Eagles will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 9 as they host the USC Upstate Spartans at 7 p.m.

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