FLORENCE, SC – Freshman forward Kyle Clinton scored with 8:10 remaining in the second overtime period to give Francis Marion University a 2-1 win over local-rival Coker College, Friday afternoon (Sept. 8) in men’s college soccer action.
The Patriots even their record at 2-2 with their 10th straight win over the Cobras. Coker drops to 1-3.
Coker had the upper hand in the opening 45 minutes, holding a 1-0 advantage at halftime. Sophomore Dennis Gonzalez scored on a 22-yard blast at the 14:34 mark. His tally came after FMU tried to clear out a Coker corner kick. The ball came directly to Gonzalez, who then pounded the ball into the goal.
Coker nearly scored in the fourth minute of the match, but Zach Sneed’s shot was cleared off the goalline by an FMU defender.
Francis Marion evened the score at the 63:04 mark with an own goal. Biagio Galle’s corner kick went off a covey of Coker players attempting to clear the kick and into the goal.
The Patriots had two good scoring opportunities in the final two minutes of regulation, but a quick cross by Jonathan Bartomioli was intercepted by Coker goalkeeper Nathan Scales at 88:30, and in the final minute, a long blast by David Lyman went high and over the crossbar.
The opening overtime period featured no shots by either team. In the second extra frame, Patriot junior Joey Pineo played a long ball up field where Bartomioli gained control and then passed to a streaking
Coker outshot Francis Marion 13-11, while the Patriots held a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks. Sophomore keeper Jeremy Crooks recorded the win for FMU, making four saves in his second career start. Scales also compiled four saves.
Francis Marion will play host to Peach Belt Conference newcomer