FLORENCE, SC --- Junior Jonathan Bartomiolo and freshman Kyle Becker each scored unassisted goals in the opening 22 minutes and Francis Marion University held off a second-half charge from St. Andrews Presbyterian College to claim a surprising 2-1 win over the regionally ranked Knights, Thursday afternoon (Oct. 19) in non-conference men’s soccer action.

With the victory, Francis Marion (4-11-1) snaps an eight-match losing streak, while St. Andrews falls to 11-6-1. The Knights entered the match tied for seventh in the latest NSCAA/adidas®
southeast regional rankings.

Bartomioli put the Patriots up 1-0 at the 14:39 mark with a long 40-yard shot. His attempt caught Knight goalkeeper Nick Stevens up from the goal line and the ball sailed over the keeper’s outstretched arm. Bartomioli tallied his fourth goal of the season on a day in which his mother was recognized as a breast cancer survivor. Both teams warmed up in pink jerseys in honor of the Passionately Pink for the Cure program, an event organized by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Becker doubled the margin to 2-0 at 21:05 when he collected a loose ball and scored from seven yards out.

The scores represented two of FMU’s three shots in the match. St. Andrews managed six shots in each half. St. Andrews also held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.

After halftime, St. Andrews quickly cut the margin in half as Justin Garton took a short pass from Earl Powell and scored from two yards out amid a covey of players.   St. Andrews’ best opportunity to tie the match came in the 71st minute when a short shot by Powell banged off the left post.

FMU sophomore keeper Jeremy Crooks registered five saves en route to his third win of the year. Stevens made one save in the opening half before being relieved by Marcus Gumbrecht at halftime.

FMU will play on the road Tuesday in the opening round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament. St. Andrews plays at Limestone College, Saturday at 3:30 p.m.