Florence, SC – Southern Wesleyan dropped a heart breaker to Francis Marion on Saturday evening as they fell in a 2-1 final after the Patriots scored in the final seconds of the match.
The Warriors picked up five shots on goal in the loss to the Patriots. Gabriel Melendez, Feren Núñez, Leonardo Flores, Deigo Hernandez and Tipton Wright each had shots on the goal. Melendez picked up his first goal of the season with Ryan Rodriguez recording the assist. Luke Bramblett played all ninety minutes in goal and collected five saves.
Game Vitals
Final: Francis Marion 2, Southern Wesleyan 1
Record: Southern Wesleyan (1-2 / CC 0-1) Francis Marion (1-1-2 / CC 1-0)
How It Happened
Francis Marion attacked the net early with shots by Camilo Salazar and Edorta Cabieces, but Luke Bramblett was able to save each of the attacks from meeting the net. Southern Wesleyan pushed the ball down the field, but Francis Marion prevented them from taking a shot during the possession. The Patriots went on the attack again, but Lucas Di Marco and Theo Buckeridge poked the ball away to keep Francis Marion from taking the lead. Oliver Jarvis took a shot on the goal off a free kick, but once more Luke Bramblett saved the attack. The match remained tied 0-0 going into halftime.
Martin Juanche Gomez sent the ball all the way down the field to kick off the second half, but the Warriors defense quickly deterred the attack. Southern Wesleyan pressed on as Leonardo Flores sent the ball toward the center of the goal, but Alberto Aragoneses Lablanca prevented Flores' attack from giving the Warriors the lead. Francis Marion continued to challenge as Edorta Cabieces took a shot on the goal, but Luke Bramblett was able to save the attack. However, the next shot by Mario Buelga found the back of the net to give Francis Marion the lead. Southern Wesleyan challenged right back as Diego Hernandez took a shot on the goal which Aragoneses Lablanca was able to save. However, the ball ricocheted back to Ryan Rodriguez who tapped it over to Gabriel Melendez who sent it into the goal to tie the game up 1-1. The Patriots continued to press, but the Warriors defense prevented each attack. Dillon Bennett passed the ball over to Tipton Wright who sent it toward the net, but once more Aragoneses Lablanca saved the ball before it reached the back of the net. Francis Marion's attacks finally paid off as Martin Juanche Gomez fired off a shot that just got past a diving Bramblett to win the game 2-1.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain on the road on September 18 as they travel to Mars Hill, NC to take on the Lions of Mars Hill University. They will then return home as they host the Shorter Hawks on Childs Field at 3:30pm. The Warriors will host the Bob Jones Bruins on September 24 at 7pm.
