FLORENCE, SC – Sophomore Tori Whigham’s tap-in goal from two yards out with 8:06 remaining provided Francis Marion University with a 2-1 victory over visiting South Carolina State University, Tuesday night (Oct. 7) in women’s soccer action.

The Patriots break into the win column for the first time in 2014 and will look to turn it into a winning streak when they play host to Charleston Southern University on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Whigham’s goal began with an Elizabeth Asare shot from the left side of the penalty area.  SC State goalkeeper Haley Austin stopped that attempt but was not able to control the ball and it rolled to Whigham who tapped the rebound into the open net and sent the Sea of Red crowd home happy.

The Lady Bulldogs did manage to get off two more shot attempts in an effort to force overtime. The best opportunity came off the foot of Valery Fernandez-Davila, but her shot from 15 yards out went just wide of the right post.  The other attempt came in the final 10 seconds, by Janell Cash, but it ended up in the side netting and did not require a save.

FMU started out by forcing the action from the opening kickoff.  The Patriots registered nine shots in the opening 22 minutes.  Sophomore forward Kelly Anthony gave Francis Marion a 1-0 lead at the 12:09 mark with her third goal of the season.  The scoring sequence began with senior Brittney Smith playing the ball wide to Asare who then passed to Anthony.  Her 16-yard shot floated beyond Austin and inside the back post.

SC State responded with the tying goal 10 minutes later at 22:37.  Amelia Green’s corner kick bounced off the near post and Dominique Brown knocked home the equalizer from 11 yards out.

Smith nearly put FMU ahead 2-1 only 43 seconds before Whigham’s match-winner.  The senior defender cranked a hard shot from a severe angle on the right side of the box, but the attempt went just outside the left post.

Francis Marion recorded a season-high 21 shots, while holding the Lady Bulldogs to nine shots.  FMU earned twice as many corner kicks, 8-4.

FMU freshman goalkeeper Casey Murakami earned the win as she played the second 45 minutes.  She did not have to make a save.  Junior Taylor O’Berry played the opening half and posted two saves for the Patriots.  Austin finished with 10 saves for the Lady Bulldogs.

Asare led Francis Marion with seven shots – six of which were on frame – including a 15th minute attempt that was cleared off the goal line by a SC State defender.

 

Francis Marion Univ. (1-10-0) def. South Carolina State (1-10-0) 2-1

Date: Oct 07, 2014  Attendance: 200

Weather: 78, Clear, Pleasant, Winds SSW @ 7 mph

Goals by period           1  2  Tot

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South Carolina State  1  0 -  1

Francis Marion Univ.   1  1 -  2

SCORING SUMMARY:

1-0.  12:09 FMU_W Kelly Anthony (3) (Brittney Smith;Elizabeth Asare) - Pass ahead, service in, 16 yard floater to back post

1-1.  22:37 SCSU BROWN,Dominique (3) (GREEN,Amelia) - Corner hits near post and bounces out for 11 yard shot from box

2-1.  81:54 FMU_W Tori Whigham (2) (Elizabeth Asare) - Tap in of save by keeper that was not held onto

Shots: South Carolina State 9, Francis Marion Univ. 21 ; Saves: South Carolina State 11 (Haley Austin,Haley 10; TEAM 1), Francis Marion Univ. 2 (Taylor O'Berry 2, Casey Murakami 0)