FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University scored a pair of goals off corner kicks, one in each half, but a spirited Patriot rally in the second half fell short as Western Carolina University came away with a chilly 4-2 non-conference win, Friday night (Oct. 25) in women’s soccer action.

Francis Marion will conclude its 2013 home slate on Sunday when the Patriots entertain Appalachian State University at 2 p.m.  Prior to kickoff, FMU will recognize its two seniors: midfielders Yasmin Bunter and Jordan Allen.

Sophomore Kelly Pannell tallied goals in the ninth and 22nd minutes to give the Catamounts a 2-0 advantage.

The Patriots trimmed the margin in half when 5-1 junior midfielder Brittney Smith headed in a corner kick by junior Sandy Odembo at the 30:40 mark.  Smith received the corner at the near post and flicked the ball into the left-side netting for her second score of the season.  FMU nearly found the equalizing score five minute later when a throw-in by junior Chanel Harris was headed on by Smith into the 6-yard box to junior forward Elizabeth Asare, but Asare was unable to turn and get off a shot.

The Catamounts struck for goals early in the second stanza – Caitlyn Bradham in the 51st minute and Markie-Lynn Studnicky in the 62nd minute – to push the WCU lead to 4-1.

At the 68:31 mark, the Patriots again took advantage of a corner kick by Odembo.  Her low arcing volley was headed in by Harris at the near post.  Harris leads the Patriots with seven goals, including six in the team’s last five contests.  Odembo also saved a goal, blocking a WCU shot in front of an open net early in the second half.

Bunter forced a diving save by Catamount freshman goalkeeper Carly Tinstman in the 77th minute; and in the 79th minute, Bunter’s shot was saved off the goal line by WCU defender Katie Weigel.

Western Carolina outshot Francis Marion 18-11, while the Patriots held a slim 6-5 advantage in corner kicks.

FMU sophomore goalkeeper Taylor O’Berry recorded three saves, while Tinstman posted three stops.

Western Carolina U (8-8-1) def. Francis Marion Univ. (1-16-0) 4-2

Date: Oct 25, 2013  Attendance: 211
Weather: Clear, 54 degrees, Winds N at 9 mph

Goals by period          1  2  Tot
---------------------------------------
Western Carolina U..  2  2 -  4
Francis Marion Univ.  1  1 -  2
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.   8:03 WCU Kelly Pannell (6) (Brittany Gendron;Caitlyn Bradham) - service, lay off, shot from top of 18-yard box
2-0.  21:47 WCU Kelly Pannell (7) (Markie Studnicky) - Laid back from end line for 6-yard shot
2-1.  30:40 FMU_W Brittney Smith (2) (Sandy Odembo) - Header off corner kick, into left-side netting
3-1.  50:03 WCU Caitlyn Bradham (5) (Kimberly Sullivan) - Long over the top pass, dribble, angle shot beats GK from 8 yards
4-1.  61:44 WCU Markie Studnicky (3) (Amanda Schwartz) - Pass over top, 12 yd shot past GK
4-2.  68:31 FMU_W Chanel Harris (7) (Sandy Odembo) - Header at near post on corner kick

Shots: Western Carolina U 18, Francis Marion Univ. 11 ; Saves: Western Carolina U 4 (Carly Tinstman 3; TEAM 1), Francis Marion Univ. 4 (Taylor O'Berry 3; TEAM 1)

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