Ricke’s free kick carries FMU past Erskine

October 7, 2015

FLORENCE, SC – Senior Sven Ricke scored on a 25-yard free kick with 11:11 remaining to lift Francis Marion University to a 3-2 non-conference road win over Erskine College, Wednesday evening (Oct. 7) in men’s soccer action.

Francis Marion improves to 7-2-1 and will stay on the road this weekend, traveling to 19th-ranked Young Harris College for a key Peach Belt Conference match on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The victory was only the Patriots’ second ever against Erskine in 17 all-time meetings in a series that dates back to the 1976 season.

Francis Marion held a 2-0 advantage at halftime thanks to a pair of late first-half tallies. Sophomore Jevon Williams scored off an assist from sophomore Harrison Smith at the 41:51 mark and only 65 seconds later sophomore Max Jenks-Gilbert recorded an unassisted score. For both players, it was their first scores of the 2015 season.

Erskine rallied to knot the score at 2-2 with goals in the 46th and 78th minutes. However, only 64 seconds after the Flying Fleet’s Cameron Whitehurst scored the equalizing goal, Ricke claimed his match-winner. For Ricke, it was his 10th career goal and fourth match-winning score.

Ricke and Smith led FMU with three shots apiece.

Francis Marion freshman goalkeeper Jonathan Mannes registered three saves in picking up the win. However, Erskine’s first goal snapped his scoreless string of 381:26, fourth longest in FMU team history.

Francis Marion led 11-8 in shots, while both teams earned four corner kicks.

CJ Cluck was in goal for Erskine (3-5-2) and he registered two saves.

Francis Marion has allowed only 11 shots on goal in the past four contests – all victories.

Francis Marion Univ. (7-2-1) def. Erskine (3-5-2) 3-2

Date: Oct 07, 2015 Attendance: 50

Weather: nice

Goals by period 1 2 Tot

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Francis Marion Univ. 2 1 - 3

Erskine............. 0 2 - 2

SCORING SUMMARY:

1-0. 41:51 FMU Jevon Williams (Harrison Smith)