FLORENCE, SC – Freshman midfielder Luca Forno scored a pair of second-half goals to lift Francis Marion University to a 2-0 win over local-rival Coker College, Monday afternoon (Oct. 18) in non-conference men’s soccer action.

Francis Marion moves above the .500 mark for the first time this season at 7-6-1, and the Patriots are unbeaten in their last six matches (5-0-1).  FMU wins for the ninth straight time in the series with Coker, and the loss drops the Cobras’ 2004 season mark to 0-9-1.

The two squads battled through a scoreless first half. Coker’s best scoring opportunity came in the 63rd minute when Jake Wyman/Bradenton, FL blasted a long shot that FMU freshman goalkeeper Robbie Curry punched over the crossbar.  Five minutes later, Coker goalkeeper Aaron Osteen/Black Mountain, NC returned the favor when he turned aside a shot by FMU senior and leading scorer Henry Theiling.

Forno gave the Patriots a 1-0 lead when he scored on a 12-yard shot at 74:55.  Freshman Shondell Busby began the play with a serve from the right side and freshman Biagio Galle touched the ball to Forno for the successful shot.

Bubsy also assisted on Forno’s second goal at 81:01, when he served the ball into the box and Forno headed the ball past Osteen.  For Forno, who delivered the match-winning overtime goal in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over USC Aiken, the tallies were his third and fourth of the 2004 campaign.

FMU junior Jonathan Runion relieved Curry in the 75th minute, and both keepers recorded two saves.  Osteen ended the match with seven stops.

The Patriots outshot Coker 17-6 and held an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks.  It is the third shutout of the year for FMU.

FMU will play a key Peach Belt Conference match at fourth-ranked UNC Pembroke, Wednesday at 7 p.m.  Coker travels to St. Andrews Presbyterian College for a CVAC match, Wednesday at 4 p.m.