FLORENCE, SC – Senior 6-5 central defender Simon Nett headed in a corner kick by sophomore Sven Ricke in the 71st minute to lift Francis Marion University to a season-opening 1-0 win over Mount Olive College, Thursday evening (Sept. 5) in men’s soccer action.

FMU (1-0-0) will travel to Barton College on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

FMU freshman goalkeeper Nick Stover recorded the shutout in his first collegiate action.  He recorded three saves.

The Patriots held a commanding 21-3 advantage in shots over the Trojans (0-1-0), and led 10-3 in corner kicks.

Despite an 8-0 lead in shots over the opening 45 minutes, Francis Marion was unable to put a serious scoring opportunity on frame.  Mount Olive goalkeeper Aleksandar Drobac did make three saves in the opening half, but none of the spectacular variety.  He finished the match with nine stops.

The Trojans’ best scoring chance came at 48:04 following a foul on the Patriots just outside the 18-yard box.  Bright Eto drove the free kick on frame, but Stover was able to easily catch the attempt.

In the 53rd minute, Drobac came off his line to ward off a service in the left side of the box, but the ball bounded back to FMU junior Ben Kwast near the top of the box.  Drobac was able to recover and make a diving stop of Kwast’s blast.

A shot by Ricke from the top of the box was deflected by Drobac early in the 71st minute, but Nett headed the ensuing corner kick into the right side of the goal at 70:57 for the night’s only tally.

Following a second yellow card against a Mount Olive player, FMU played the final 18 minutes with a man advantage.

FMU senior Cody Farrier connected on a 20-yard rocket that glanced off the right post in the 79th minute.

The young Patriot starting line-up included three freshmen and five sophomores.

Francis Marion Univ. (1-0-0) def.  Mount Olive College (0-1-0) 1-0
Date: Sep 05, 2013  Attendance: 211
Weather: Mostly clear, 90 degrees

Goals by period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Mount Olive College.  0  0 -  0
Francis Marion Univ.  0  1 -  1
 
SCORING SUMMARY:
1-0.  70:57 FMU_M Simon Nett (1) (Sven Ricke) - Header from 8-yards out off corner kick

Shots: Mount Olive College 3, Francis Marion Univ. 21 ; Saves: Mount Olive College 9 (Aleksandar Drobac 9), Francis Marion  Univ. 3 (Nick Stover 3)

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