GREENWOOD – The Lander women’s soccer team collected goals from Sara Flores and Chloe Le Franc as the Bearcats defeated Francis Marion 2-0 for their first home win ever over the Patriots on Wednesday evening at Van Taylor Stadium.
The Bearcats (5-2, 2-1 PBC) outshot the Patriots (3-3, 0-2 PBC) 20-11 in the victory. Both teams tallied nine corner kicks on the night.
“The girls worked hard today,” said head coach Chris Ayer. “We struggled a little early, but we found a way to win and that’s the most important thing sometimes. Getting the second conference win is a big deal and continuing to progress is important. I think we got better and we’re getting better every day.”
Bearcat goalkeepers Sara Owen and Hannah Cowan combined for three saves to earn Lander’s third shutout of the season
The Bearcat offense controlled most of the match, as Flores and Jordan Thomas led the team with three shots each.
In the 28th minute, Flores struck gold for her first goal of the year as Juliette Vidal sent a long pass down the sideline to the senior. The speedy foward outraced a pair of Patriots and beat FMU goalkeeper Micahla Kitchen by slipping a shot inside the left post to give the Bearcats a 1-0 lead.
Lander tacked on the clincher in the 84th minute when Logan Lewis found Le Franc, who chipped a shot over Kitchen for her first career goal.
The Bearcats will host No. 15 Columbus State on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 3:00 p.m.
