FLORENCE, S.C. – Sophomore midfielder Rommel Fondin (Palm Bay, Fla.) scored on a penalty kick in the 43rd minute to give Coker College a season-opening 1-0 win over local-rival Francis Marion University, Thursday afternoon in men's collegiate soccer.

The Cobras (1-0) will play host Florida Tech on Monday at 12:00 p.m., while the Patriots (0-1) will host FIT on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
 
Fondin’s goal came after a FMU foul in the box at the 42:49 mark.  His shot went to the right of FMU goalkeeper Clark Richeson.
 
Francis Marion controlled possession for most of the first half, but Coker had the three best scoring opportunities in the opening 45 minutes.  In addition to Fondin’s tally, Coker’s Alex Bracken (Leeds, England) one-timed a cross in the 6-yard box that glanced off and just over the cross bar in the 18th minute, while Eric Stiefield (Eustis, Fla.) chipped a shot over Clark from the far right side that went just outside the far post at 28:28.
 
Francis Marion’s best chance to even the score came in the 76th minute when junior Adam Dillihay headed a shot toward the Coker goal from about 10 yards out.  Cobra goalkeeper James Sweeney (Huntingtown, Md.) dove to his left and made a one-handed save.
 
Both teams registered seven shots, with each having three on goal.  FMU led 8-1 in corner kicks.
 
Richeson made two saves, while Sweeney finished with three.  Junior midfielder Cameron Mabee led the Patriots with two shots.