FLORENCE, S.C. – Freshman Alexis Pittman found the back of the net for the fourth time this season and the UNC Pembroke soccer team held host Francis Marion to just five shots in a 1-0 Peach Belt Conference (PBC) victory Wednesday night at Hartzler Field.

MATCH INFORMATION
Score: UNC Pembroke 1, Francis Marion 0
Records: UNC Pembroke (7-3-0, 4-1-0 PBC); Francis Marion (3-5-0, 0-4-0 PBC)
Location: Hartzler Field
Series: Francis Marion leads 6-2

HOW IT HAPPENED
Box Score/Play-by-Play

FIRST HALF
-After a slow start on both sides, the Braves picked up the pace the in 10th-minute with a Kristina Stevenson corner and tacked on two shots and an additional corner in the next four minutes.
-Alexis Pittman's first shot in the 23rd-minute was saved by Patriot keeper Micahla Kitchen.
-Just six minutes later, Pittman bested the FMU netminder after corralling her own rebound and finding the back of the net from five yards out to give the Black & Gold a 1-0 advantage.
-Back-to-back UNCP shots in the 32nd- and 33rd-minute were blocked away by Kitchen.
-The Braves were in prime position to double the lead in the 36th-minute, but a diving save from Kitchen off a point-blank Carly Rochelle header kept the UNCP lead at one.
-Two more Black & Gold shots gave the guests a 10-0 advantage in the opening 45 minutes.

SECOND HALF
-UNCP came out of the break pressing and racked up four shots in the first nine minutes of the second half.
-The Patriots found their footing late in the second half and had their best opportunity score in the 78th- and 79th-minutes, but Gina Ryan was up to the task and made three saves in the span of 1:07.
-The hosts were awarded a free kick from 40 yards out in the 85th-minute and again in the 89th-minute from 36 yards out, but were unable to test Gina Ryan.

NOTABLES
-Pittman's goal was her team-high fourth of the season and the freshman now leads all Braves with 10 points (4 goals, 2 assists).
-Gina Ryan was a perfect 3-for-3 in saves to pick up her fourth shutout of the season and 11th of her young career.
-Pittman uncorked a match-high four shots, while Carly Rochelle, Shannon O'Neill and Stacey Scott each tacked on a trio of their own.
-Haley Stewart (73') and Katy Ryan (89') each were cautioned by the referee for the first time this season. Two Patriots were shown yellow cards as well.
-Francis Marion's Kitchen made a career-high nine saves, as the Braves struck seven shots on goal in the first half and three in the second stanza.
-The Braves have now tallied at least 16 shots in each of their last four outings and are outshooting opponents 165-92 this season.
-With the win, UNCP grabs sole possession of second place in the PBC standings with 12 points, just one point behind league-leading and No. 5 Flagler.

UP NEXT
The Braves will enjoy a full week off before returning home next Wednesday for an 11 a.m. meeting with No. 5 Flagler. The Saints (9-0-1) are the lone undefeated PBC squad remaining and sit atop the league standings with 13 points. UNCP holds a 4-3-1 advantage in the all-time series with Flagler, dating back to the first meeting in 2009.