FLORENCE, SC – An own goal in the 70th minute gave Francis Marion University a rain-soaked 2-1 victory over Charleston Southern University, Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 13) in women’s college soccer action.

The Patriots improve to 2-3-0, while the Buccaneers drop to 3-2-0 following the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The win also upped FMU’s all-time home record to 78-16-3, and the Patriots remain unbeaten all-time in home openers, 11-0-1.

Senior Brittany Rothenbach gave Francis Marion a 1-0 lead at the 36:45 mark, when she scored on an 8-yard shot in the box. The play started with a throw-in by Brandi Sutphin and the ball was flicked on to Rothenbach by freshman Angela Salem. It was Rothenbach’s third career goal and first of the 2006 season.

Charleston Southern knotted the score at 1-1 when sophomore Emma Mattsson found the back of the net on a 20-yard blast with only 54 ticks left before halftime. Freshman Rose Marie Senise assisted on the score.

FMU freshman Kirby Stenard started the deciding play in the 70th minute. Her cross from the right side was inadvertently knotted into the goal by CSU defender Randall McCoy as she tried to clear the ball.

FMU junior goalkeeper Jacque Sutphin tallied six saves as Francis Marion outshot the Buccaneers 14-10, including 11-4 over the final 45 minutes. CSU goalkeeper Mia Cederholm registered seven saves.

CSU held a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Francis Marion plays in the adidas Soccer Classic at The Citadel in Charleston this weekend, facing Youngstown State University on Friday at 6 p.m. and The Citadel on Saturday at 3 p.m. CSU plays at Liberty University in a Big South Conference match, Saturday at 2 p.m.