Upset-minded FMU falls to defending champs

September 26, 2016

MISENHEIMER, NC – Despite a game-effort by Francis Marion University that saw the Patriots tied at halftime with the defending NCAA Division II national champions, seventh-ranked Pfeiffer University pulled away in the second half to claim a 5-0 non-conference win, Wednesday evening (Sept. 21) in men’s soccer action.

Francis Marion (2-4-1) will return home to host the University of North Georgia for McLeod Children’s Hospital Day on Saturday at 7 p.m. Pfeiffer improves to 5-1 this season and the Falcons have only lost once in their past 29 matches.

The Falcons outshot FMU 44-7 and held a 17-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Despite facing 23 shots over the opening 45 minutes, Francis Marion and sophomore goalkeeper Jonathan Mannes held Pfeiffer scoreless.

Patriot freshman Matteo Capitani tallied shots on frame that forced Pfeiffer goalkeeper Nicolas Dulac to make saves in the 44th and 57th minutes.

The match remained deadlocked until the 61:27 mark when Nathan Regis converted a penalty kick following a handball call against the Patriots in the box. Mannes guessed correctly, but Regis’ effort still was able to find its way into the right corner of the goal.

Martin Galvao upped the margin to 2-0 with a score in the 67th minute and Roberto Soares scored in the 71st and 79th minutes.

Mannes finished with a season-high 10 saves. Sophomore forward Levin Sandmann also registered two shots for FMU.

#7 Pfeiffer University (5-1-0) def. Francis Marion Univ. (2-4-1) 5-0

Date: Sep 21, 2016 Attendance: 255

Weather: cloudy

Goals by period 1 2 Tot

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Francis Marion Univ. 0 0 - 0

PFEIFFER............ 0 5 - 5

SCORING SUMMARY:

1-0. 61:27 PFEIFFER Nathan Regis Penalty kick

2-0. 66:21 PFEIFFER Martim Galvao (unassisted)