Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan fell in a tight competition to the Francis Marion Patriots on Saturday evening after an hour and a half weather delay.

The Warriors collected 14 shots and five shots on goal in the loss to the Patriots.  Both Cayla Hughes and Joy Namyst had four shots.  Namyst went on to lead the team with two shots on goal, while Hughes, Bella Hanzel and Ashley Allen each had lone shots on goal.  Southern Wesleyan recorded three corner kicks.  Samantha Benner played all 90 minutes in goal for Southern Wesleyan, collecting seven saves while only allowing one goal.
 


Game Vitals

Final: Francis Marion 1, Southern Wesleyan 0

Records: Southern Wesleyan (0-4-1 / CC 0-2) Francis Marion (1-4 / CC 1-1)


 
How It Happened

Southern Wesleyan charged out of the gate as Joy Namyst drove the ball to the bottom right of the goal, but Makayla Willets saved the ball from giving the Warriors an early lead.  The Patriots countered shortly after as Le'Landra Jarvis got around the Warriors to give Francis Marion a 1-0 lead after nine minutes of play.  The Warriors would not let up as Cayla Hughes and Ashley Allen each sent the ball to the net, but Francis Marion's Willets would not allow Southern Wesleyan to tie the game up.  The Patriots remained on the offensive with shots on goal by Anna Capra and Ainara Eizaguirre, but Samantha Benner continued to save the ball to keep the game at 1-0 at half.

The Warriors came out strong in the second half as Bella Hanzel and Joy Namyst each drove the ball down the field.  However, each of their shot attempts were thwarted by the Patriots defense.  Hanzel broke away from the pack and drove the ball down the field, forcing a one-on-one situation with herself and goalkeeper Makayla Willets.  Willets did not back down as she put herself between the ball and the net to keep Hanzel from tying the game up.  A foul in the box allowed the Patriots to take a penalty kick, but Samantha Benner jumped up as the ball ricocheted off the post to prevent Francis Marion from extending their lead.  Despite last minute shots by Cayla Hughes and Madi Wrust, the Patriots won the game in a 1-0 final.


 
What's Next

The Warriors will travel to Due West, SC on September 21 to take on the Erskine Flying Fleet at 5 p.m.  They will then return to Childs Field on September 25 to welcome the Barton Bulldogs to Central, SC.  On September 30, Southern Wesleyan will travel to Greenville, SC to take on the Bob Jones Bruins in non-conference action at 7 p.m.  They will then return home to face the King Tornado and the Converse Valkyries the following week.