AIKEN, SC – Sophomore forward Juan Rivas scored a pair of goals, the second one in overtime, to lift Francis Marion University to a key 2-1 Peach Belt Conference win over USC Aiken, Wednesday night (Oct. 22) in men’s soccer action.

Francis Marion extends its unbeaten streak to nine matches (7 wins, 2 ties), improves to 8-4-3 overall and 3-0-1 in the PBC, and stays in the hunt for the conference regular-season crown.

Rivas forced the overtime period when he scored an unassisted goal with only 1:07 left in regulation to knot the score at 1-1. His shot went over USCA goalkeeper Milad Zareian, who was coming out to challenge Rivas, and was assisted by freshman Emerson Peredo.

The Clearwater, Fla., native scored the match winner, also unassisted, 8:41 into the first extra session. Rivas now has six goals this season and 15 in his young career.

Kofi Akyere had given USCA (4-9-0, 1-4-0) a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute when he scored off a corner kick by Alex Lewis.

FMU sophomore goalkeeper Clark Richeson had to make only one save as only two of the Pacers’ 10 shots were on-goal. FMU also took 10 shots, but seven were on-goal.

Zareian registered five saves during regulation, while Andray Charles played the overtime period and allowed the deciding goal.

FMU led in corner kicks 2-1.

Francis Marion travels to North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega, Ga., for another PBC match, Saturday at 3 p.m.