FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University fell to the visiting Wingate Bulldogs 1-0 in men’s soccer action on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 3) at the FMU Soccer Field.

Wingate’s tally came off the foot of Peron Da Silva in the 62nd minute on a long service from Felippe Imperatriz that Da Silva then chested down near the six-yard box and the far post and then scooted the ball past FMU goalkeeper Will Barnette.

Francis Marion (0-2-0) saw their best chance to tie the match come in the 77th minute.  Travis Bally sent a corner kick into the box that was headed to Chuy Cruz whose shot was cleared off the goal line on a bicycle kick by a Bulldog defender.

Both teams had opportunities to find the back of the net early in the first half.  Sophomore forward Alex Blandin nearly gave the Patriots the lead in the 12th minute when a long through ball reached him streaking down the left side and was alone with the keeper who came off his line and made the save.  Shortly after, Wingate’s Ben Biron sent a header just wide of the left post off a corner kick in the 13th minute.

Francis Marion outshot the Wingate 10-9, but the Bulldogs took nine corner kicks to the Patriots’ five.  Wingate evens its record at 1-1-0.

Barnette made three saves on the afternoon, while Wingate junior Julian Garcia made two stops.

FMU is back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Pfeiffer University for a 4 p.m. matchup.

Wingate University (1-1-0) def. Francis Marion Univ. (0-2-0) 1-0
Date: Sep 03, 2011  Attendance: 106        Weather: Partly Cloudy, 88 degrees

Goals by period           1  2  Tot
Wingate University..    0  1 -  1
Francis Marion Univ.   0  0 -  0

SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  61:24 WIN Peron Da Silva (2) (Felippe Imperatriz) - Long service from left, chested, 7-yd shot past keeper

Shots: Wingate University 9, Francis Marion Univ. 10
Saves: Wingate University 3 (Julian Garcia 2; TEAM 1), Francis Marion Univ. 3 (Barnette, Will 3)

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