PEMBROKE – The UNC Pembroke soccer team netted a trio of second-half goals, including two less than two minutes apart, and used a bend-but-not-break defensive effort to cruise past visiting Francis Marion, 3-0, in front of a record crowd on Wednesday evening at Lumbee River EMC Stadium.
It was the third win in the last four Peach Belt Conference outings for the Braves (7-4-0, 4-3-0 PBC) who have now blanked each of their six opponents at home this season as well. The setback marked the third-straight series loss for the Patriots (5-7-1, 2-5-0) who fell to 1-4-0 away from Florence, S.C., this season.
The game was played in front of a record crowd of 877 fans – more than 300 better than the previous stadium record (536) established last season against USC Aiken.
| SCORING SUMMARY |
| 78' |
Stacey Scott's hard pass into the penalty area skipped off the back of a Francis Marion defender to the waiting right foot of Bree Mason who redirected the ricochet into the back of the net. UNCP 1, FMU 0 |
| 80' |
Bree Mason got the benefit of a pinball situation in the penalty area and found herself with the ball at her feet on the near post. She finished the scoring play in front of Patriots netminder Rachael Hennenkamp who was scurrying to make the stop. UNCP 2, FMU 0 |
| 89' |
Jillian's Robson's pass into the penalty area somehow found its way through the legs of FMU goalkeeper Rachael Hennenkamp and Maya Grimes settled the confusion and ripped a shot inside the near post to cap the scoring. UNCP 3, FMU 0 |
| TOP BRAVES |
- Bree Mason doubled her scoring production on the season with two goals on the night, while also registering a season-best eight shots (3 on goal).
- Junior Carly Rochelle recorded a career-best two assists against the Patriots, while Stacey Scott, Kristina Stevenson and Jillian Robson all turned in one assist apiece.
- Junior Gina Ryan was business as usual between the posts for the Black & Gold, registering six saves on the way to her 24th career shutout and sixth clean sheet of the season.
- Ten different players registered shots on the night for the hosts, including six players that turned in multiple strikes.
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| NOTABLES |
- The Braves have shut out all six of their opponents at Lumbee River EMC stadium this season, and have not allowed a goal in Pembroke since an 85th minute score by USC Aiken on Oct. 25, 2017.
- Gina Ryan's 24th career clean sheet moved her into a tie for first place atop UNCP's all-time shutouts list. Former all-American Whitney Beverly recorded 24 shutouts as well for the Black & Gold from 2005-08.
- The Braves have now won three-straight games in the series with Francis Marion, and have outscored the Patriots 8-1 during that stretch. UNCP dropped the first six matchups in the series before the Patriots made the jump to the NCAA Division I level prior to the 2005 this season. The Braves are perfect against FMU since it made the return to NCAA Division II and the Peach Belt Conference.
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| UP NEXT |
| UNCP will hit the road again on Saturday when it treks to Milledgeville, Ga., to battle league rival Georgia College (9-3-2, 3-2-2 PBC) at Bobcat Field. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. |
