FLORENCE, SC – Junior forward Jonathan Bartomioli scored a pair of goals and assisted on a third as Francis Marion University outscored Peach Belt Conference newcomer Georgia Southwestern State University 7-3, Sunday afternoon (Sept. 10) in men’s college soccer action.

The Patriots enjoyed their best offensive tally in 106 matches, dating back to an 8-0 win over Coker College on Oct. 26, 2000, while upping their overall record to 3-2 and their conference mark to 1-0.  The victory snapped a nine-match losing skid in PBC play for FMU.  GSW falls to 1-3 and 0-2.

FMU freshman Kyle Clinton scored his fourth goal of the young season, with the help of an assist from Patriot goalkeeper Nick Krywyj, to put Francis Marion up 1-0 at the 9:02 mark.  GSW answered with a pair of goals to take a 2-1 advantage.  Etchu Tabe scored on a long 25-yard blast after a pass from Derek Shicker at 29:19, and Carter Myers found the back of the net on a 22-yard shot at 36:17.

Patriot sophomore Willie Hunt scored on a header at 39:06, thanks to a double assist from Joey Pineo and Biagio Galle.  The score remained 2-2 at intermission.

David Lyman, Bartomioli, and Kyle Becker scored for Francis Marion in the opening 31 minutes of the final half to put FMU up 5-2.  After Tabe narrowed the deficit to 5-3 on a penalty kick at the 75:54 mark, Bartomioli scored his second goal and freshman Jared Beauchamp recorded the final goal on a 12-yard shot in the 88th minute.

Francis Marion outshot the Hurricanes 19-14, and held a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks.  Krywyj picked up his first career win while posting six saves.  Georgia Southwestern goalkeeper Conrad Brown stopped seven balls.

It was the highest scoring match (both teams combined) for Francis Marion in 13 seasons.

Francis Marion plays at Wingate University, Wednesday at 7 p.m.  GSW hosts USC Aiken on Saturday at 4 p.m.