MOUNT OLIVE (Oct. 2) – Freshman
Kevin Jimenez scored a late equalizer in the 85th minute, as the University of Mount Olive men's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against Francis Marion in league divisional play at Amon Field on Wednesday night.
With the draw, the Trojans earned a significant point in the conference standings and stand at 2-3-2 overall behind a 1-1-2 mark in conference action. It marks the first tie between the sides in 21 meetings while UMO captures its first major results since earning its lone victory against FMU in 2006. Meanwhile, the Patriots have a five-match winning streak come to an end but move to 5-1-3 this season with a 4-0-1 record in league play.
In the first half, Francis Marion managed to control a majority of the possession on its offensive end of the field. The Patriots registered their best opportunity of the initial 45 minutes of the contest at the 28:03 mark after senior goalkeeper
Axel Engren was forced to make a leg save off a turnover. At the break, FMU held a 10-1 lead in shots and delivered one corner kick.
The Trojans applied pressure to begin the second half after recording two shots in the opening three-plus minutes. In the 54th minute, Francis Marion was awarded a penalty kick and broke the deadlock as Andre Sabino slotted the shot just outside the reach of the keeper, 1-0. Engren continued to produce an impressive performance in the second half with three saves in the span of 10 minutes. At the 84:22 mark, Jimenez scored the equalizer into the far post off an assist by junior
Novian Williams, 1-1. Mount Olive nearly escaped with all three points in the final minute of the match after a cross into the box was nearly chipped into the goal but was ultimately saved to force a draw.
Engren collected five saves on 18 shots faced while playing all 90 minutes on Wednesday night.
Francis Marion held an 18-9 shot advantage while boasting a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.
The Trojans return to Amon Field on Saturday, Oct. 5, to face Young Harris in Conference Carolinas action at 3 p.m.
