FLORENCE, S.C. (Oct. 11) – After featuring limited chances throughout the contest, the Trojans fell by a 2-0 margin at Francis Marion on Wednesday night in Conference Carolinas play.

With the loss, the University of Mount Olive men's soccer program drops to 2-6-3 this season with a 2-4-2 mark in league action. UMO has three conference matches left this season and continues to battle for a spot in the conference championship after entering the game positioned ninth. Meanwhile, Francis Marion improves to 6-1-4 overall with a 5-0-2 record in conference play.

In the first half, the Patriots produced the first shot on goal in the second minute after getting on the counterattack, but junior goalkeeper Axel Engren made a comfortable save to keep the match scoreless. FMU followed up with four more shots and two corner kicks in the initial 20 minutes before finding a breakthrough. At the 25:13 mark, the Patriots sent a cross into the box, which took a deflection and fell to the foot of Camilo Salazar, who scored the first goal, 1-0. Engren would collect three more saves in the first half while freshman Manny Duran laced a shot on goal in the closing second, which was stopped by the FMU goalie.

The Trojans looked for an equalizer in the second half as junior Guilherme Semola delivered a header in the 62nd minute before teammate Rafael Obraczka registered a strike on goal with both attempts saved. At the 80:20 mark, Francis Marion sealed the win after Miguel Bello placed a perfect pass over the defender to Rafael Silverio, who beat the keeper one-on-one, 2-0.

Engren totaled five saves on 16 shots faced in 90 minutes of action between the posts.

Francis Marion held a 7-3 edge in shots on goal while also finishing with a 6-3 lead in corner kicks.

Mount Olive returns to Conference Carolinas action on Saturday, Oct. 14, when it hosts Belmont Abbey on Senior Day with kickoff set for 7 p.m.