CHARLESTON, S.C. – Freshman Kirby Stenard scored a pair of second-half goals to lead Francis Marion University past The Citadel 2-0 in game two of The Citadel adidas (women’s) Soccer Classic at WLI Field on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 16).

The Patriots (4-3) clinch the tournament crown with their second win in as many days, while the Bulldogs (1-6) will face Youngstown State University on Sunday at 11 a.m. for the third and final match of the Classic. FMU has now won four straight matches after opening the season 0-3.

A tough defensive battle ensued in the first period with the Bulldogs pressing on FMU’s side of the field for the majority of the half. 

At the 58:21 mark in the second stanza, Stenard found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead as she took a feed from Meagan Sheffler and dribbled around a Bulldog defender and knocked it in from close range. Stenard scored again in the 74th minute as Bulldog goalkeeper Emily Green was pulled out of the box and Stenard chipped it into the open net after taking a pass from Brandi Sutphin.

Stenard leads the Patriots with four goals this season.

Francis Marion was able to hold off The Citadel offense late in the game to earn the shutout victory, it’s first ever over an NCAA Division I opponent. FMU enjoyed a 9-3 advantage in shots, while the Patriots were awarded four corner kicks to The Citadel’s two.

FMU junior keeper Jacque Sutphin notched her second win in as many days for the Patriots, making one stop. She has allowed only three goals in her last 369:48 in goal. Green recorded two saves in only her second collegiate start in front of the net. 

Four Patriots were named to the All-Tournament Team: Stenard, Angela Salem, Brittany Rothenbach, and Ashley Fortune.

The Bulldogs lost defender Maggie Bryan, a major force in the backfield, in the first half due to injury.

FMU returns to Charleston on Tuesday to face the College of Charleston at 7 p.m.