FLORENCE, SC – Junior forwards Alex Blandin and Cody Farrier combined for four goals to carry Francis Marion University past Pfeiffer University 4-1, Tuesday evening (Oct. 2) in men’s non-conference soccer action.

Francis Marion improves to 3-6-0 with the Patriots’ first win at the new Hartzler Field.  FMU will play host to Peach Belt Conference newcomer Young Harris College on Saturday night at 7 p.m.

In addition to his two goals, Blandin added a pair of assists for a career-high six points.

Blandin gave the Patriots a 1-0 advantage in the seventh minute as he dribbled across the top of the box and fired a shot from 15 yards directly in front of the goal.  The margin grew to 2-0 at 21:57 when freshman midfielder Pascal Magiera gave a quick pass to Blandin on the edge of the 18-yard box and he laid the ball off to Farrier who fired a 16-yard shot just inside the far right post.

Blandin and Farrier combined on a give-and-go scoring sequence in the 54th minute with Farrier connecting on a 12-yard shot, again to the far right post.  Blandin scored the final tally at 58:44 when he back-heeled in a deflected shot by senior midfielder Chuy Cruz.

Both Blandin and Farrier share the Patriot team lead with four goals apiece this season.

Pfeiffer avoided the shutout in the 79th minute when reserve Robbie Rogers collected a loose ball in the FMU defensive half and scored on a 20-yard shot just outside the reach of Patriot goalkeeper Logan Fisher.

Francis Marion outshot the Falcons 25-7 and both sides earned two corner kicks. Fisher, making his first career start, did not record a save en route to the win, while sophomore Zach Liles registered five saves for Pfeiffer.

Francis Marion Univ. (3-6-0) def. Pfeiffer University (0-10-1) 4-1

Date: Oct 02, 2012  Attendance: 175
Weather: Overcast, Damp, 77 degrees

Goals by period           1  2  Tot
-----------------------------------
Pfeiffer University.   0  1 -  1
Francis Marion Univ.  2  2 -  4
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.   6:15 FMU Alex Blandin (3) (unassisted) - Dribbled across, 15 yd shot from straight on
2-0.  21:57 FMU Cody Farrier (3) (Alex Blandin;Pascal Magiera) - Quick pass, lay off , 16 yd shot to far right post
3-0.  53:25 FMU Cody Farrier (4) (Alex Blandin) - Give and go, 12 yd shot to far right post
4-0.  58:44 FMU Alex Blandin (4) (Chuy Cruz) - Tap in of deflected shot
4-1.  78:20 PUM Robbie Rogers (1) (unassisted) - Give-away, 20-yd shot to far right post

Shots: Pfeiffer University 7, Francis Marion Univ. 25 ; Saves: Pfeiffer University 5 (Zach Liles 5), Francis Marion Univ. 0 (Logan Fisher 0)

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