MISENHEIMER, NC – After allowing two goals in a span of 1:36 in the opening half, Francis Marion University staged a furious second-half rally, but the Patriots came up just short in a 2-1 non-conference loss at Pfeiffer University, Thursday afternoon (Sept. 8) in men’s soccer action.

After trailing 2-0 at halftime, Francis Marion outshot the Falcons 15-4 and led 8-2 in corner kicks over the final 45 minutes.  Freshman midfielder Igor Souza scored at 84:49 when he controlled a rebound off the crossbar. The sequence began with a corner kick by sophomore Alex Blandin and saw sophomore Jeran Nanthakumar fire a shot off the crossbar before Souza recorded his first career tally.

In an attempt to force overtime, Blandin had his shot in the 87th minute stopped by Pfeiffer goalkeeper Zach Liles, and then with 49 seconds left, Souza shot high and over the crossbar.

Blandin also hit the crossbar in the 81st minute.

For the match, FMU outshot Pfeiffer 24-14 and held a 10-6 advantage in corner kicks.

Freshman goalkeeper Nick Lucido made his first appearance as a Patriot and registered two saves.  Liles made three stops.

Luke Janes scored Pfeiffer’s (1-2-0) first goal off an assist from Ben Lloyd at 21:57.  Lloyd then tallied the second goal just inside the left post at 23:33 following a throw-in and quick pass.

Francis Marion (0-3-0) will travel to Hartsville on Saturday evening for a 7 p.m. match-up with local-rival Coker College.

Pfeiffer University (1-2-0) def. Francis Marion Univ. (0-3-0) 2-1
Date: Sep 08, 2011  Attendance: 77          Weather: Mostly Cloudy - 79F

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

SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  21:57 PUM Janes, Luke (1) (Lloyd, Ben) - Rebound off deflected cross inside 18
2-0.  23:33 PUM Lloyd, Ben (1) (Scalera, Taylor;Sacco, Ethan) - Throw In; Quick Pass; Goal inside left post
2-1.  84:49 FMU Souza, Igor (1) (unassisted) - Shot off deflection off intial crossbar shot

Shots: Francis Marion Univ. 24, Pfeiffer 14
Saves: Francis Marion Univ. 3 (Lucido, Nick 2; TEAM 1), Pfeiffer 3 (Liles, Zach 3)

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