WASHINGTON, D.C. – Junior forward Ashley Fortune scored three goals and assisted on a fourth to lead Francis Marion University to a 6-0 shutout of short-handed Howard University, Sunday afternoon (Oct. 22) in women’s soccer action.

FMU (8-5-3) has won three straight matches, while Howard, which dressed only 10 players, falls to 1-14-0. Francis Marion plays host to Coastal Carolina University, Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Fortune scored her first goal on an assist from Patriot goalkeeper Jacque Sutphin at the 13:35 mark. It was the keeper’s second career assist.

Fortune scored again at 18:36 after taking a pass from the other Sutphin twin, Brandi. Fortune finished the first-half scoring when she utilized a pass from Jody Rhoderick to find the back of the net 50 seconds before halftime. Fortune now has 10 goals this season and 29 for her career. It was her second career hat trick in two seasons at FMU. In 2004, she set a school record with six goals in a match against Belmont Abbey College.

Freshman Kirby Stenard scored a pair of goals in the second half, including one that Fortune assisted on in the 53rd minute. Stenard leads the Patriots with 12 goals and 27 points this season. Senior defender Brittany Rothenbach tallied FMU’s other goal on a penalty kick in the 75th minute.

FMU out shot the Bisons 25-7, including 18-3 in the opening half. Jacque Sutphin ended the match with three saves, while posting her fifth blanking of the year.