First-Half Scores push Patriots past GSW 3-1
AMERICUS, GA – Senior Kelly Anthony and freshman Carli Gauthier and Avery Towns all scored first-half goals to propel Francis Marion University to a 3-1 Peach Belt Conference victory over Georgia Southwestern State University, Saturday afternoon (Oct. 22) in women’s soccer action.
FMU will play its final home match on the season on Monday afternoon at 4 p.m. when the Patriots entertain Young Harris College for Senior Day. Three seniors will be recognized prior to kickoff.
The Patriots registered a season-high 19 shots on Saturday, while the Hurricanes also posted that same total. However, FMU held a commanding 12-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Anthony gave Francis Marion a 1-0 lead at the 19:36 mark when she knocked in a cross from junior Haley Bigler. It was Anthony’s second score of 2016 and the 11th of her career. Gauthier doubled the margin to 2-0 at 23:20 when she scored her first career goal on a free kick.
Towns tallied her second goal of the season when she converted on a rebound of her own miss at the 27:23 mark.
Gauthier led the Patriots with five shots, all of which were on frame, while both Anthony and Towns had four apiece.
FMU sophomore goalkeeper Casey Murakami recorded six saves while allowing only a lone second-half score in the 70th minute. GSW goalkeeper Elyse Gowen made four stops while allowing the three scores in the opening 45 minutes. Chelsee Wright recorded six saves while playing the second half in goal for the Hurricanes.
Francis Marion Univ. (1-14-0, 1-9-0 PBC) def. Georgia Southwestern (3-12-0, 0-10-0 PBC) 3-1
Goals by period 1 2 Tot-------------------------------------------Francis Marion Univ. 3 0 - 3Georgia Southwestern 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:1-0. 19:36 FMU_W Kelly Anthony (2) (Haley Bigler) - cross from right side2-0. 23:20 FMU_W Carli Gauthier (1) (unassisted) - off free kick3-0. 27:23 FMU_W Avery Towns (2) (unassisted) - off own rebound3-1. 69:43 GSW Khayla Owens (7) (Ella Hawkins) - cross into the box, right side
Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 19, Georgia Southwestern 19 ; Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 7 (Casey Murakami 7), Georgia Southwestern 10 (Elyse Gowen 4; Chelsee Wright 6)
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