FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University men’s soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to five matches and set a school record for scoring defense as the Patriots battled 15th-ranked Lincoln Memorial University to a 0-0 tie, Saturday afternoon (Oct. 4) in non-conference action.

Francis Marion moves to 4-4-3 on the season, and its five-match streak includes three wins sandwiched between two double-overtime ties. The Patriots have pitched shutouts in each of their past four matches – tying a school season record – while the squad’s scoreless streak of 410:15 is a new school mark. The old record of 407:53 was set Nov. 8, 1997-Sept. 19, 1998.

Lincoln Memorial (7-3-2), ranked No. 1 in the nation earlier this season, is now winless in its last three matches.

Francis Marion outshot the Railsplitters 10-7, and led in shots-on-goal 5-1. The Patriots also led in corner kicks 9-5.

FMU sophomore goalkeeper Clark Richeson set a new individual record by pushing his scoreless streak in goal to 390:27, surpassing Mike Cruikshank’s old mark of 383:20 set over the 1997 and 1998 seasons. On Saturday however, Richeson only had to make one save in his 110 minutes on the field.

LMU freshman goalkeeper Michael Watkins registered five saves en route to posting his fourth shutout of the year.

Francis Marion out-played the nationally ranked LMU squad in the opening half. Junior Jared Beauchamp nearly put the Patriots on the score board in the 20th minute, but his sliding one-touch of a cross near the mouth of the goal was stopped by Watkins. Three minutes late, FMU freshman Adrian Sikorski sent a corner kick into the 6-yard box, but senior Willie Hunt’s header sailed just over the crossbar.

In the 60th minute, an FMU pass snuck through the Railsplitters’ defense leaving Patriot junior Kyle Clinton facing a charging Watkins just inside the 18-yard box, but the freshman keeper came up with the save.

LMU’s lone shot-on-goal came with 25 seconds left in regulation, but Richeson easily stopped Ian Richardson’s attempt from the top of the box.

Francis Marion will play host to Mars Hill College, next Saturday at 1 p.m., while LMU plays at King College on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.