FLORENCE, S.C. – Freshman Kirby Stenard and sophomore Brandi Bonifay scored second-half goals and Francis Marion University held off a late Coastal Carolina University rally to claim a breezy 2-1 win, Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 24) in women’s soccer action.

In the first-ever meeting between the two programs, FMU (9-5-3) tallied its goals in a 3:30 span early in the second half as the Patriots won their fourth straight match. Coastal Carolina (11-5-1) had won nine of its previous 11 matches.

Freshman Angela Salem corralled a long kick by FMU goalkeeper Jacque Sutphin and then fed a streaking Stenard for a 12-yard shot from the left side of the box at the 63:31 mark. The score was Stenard’s team-leading 13th of the season. It was the second straight match that Sutphin has recorded an assist from the keeper position.

Bonifay scored the eventual match-winner, and her first goal of 2006, in the 68th minute. Junior forward Brandi Sutphin made a long throw in from the right sideline that Salem flicked into the box where Bonifay tapped it in from five yards out.

Coastal Carolina trimmed the margin to 2-1 at the 75:23 mark when junior Amanda Gelsomino scored her third goal of the season. Stacey Dillon began the scoring play with a pass up the right side where Blair Monroe crossed the ball to Gelsomino, who scored on an 8-yard shot.

Sutphin ended the day with four saves as did Chanticleer keeper Jaclyn Stoll. Coastal Carolina out shot the Patriots 10-7 and held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Coastal Carolina controlled the ball for most of the scoreless first half. FMU’s only two shots in the opening 45 minutes came in a 10-second span in the 41st minute as Ashley Fortune hit the right post and then her shot on the rebound was covered by Stoll.

Francis Marion will play host to Delaware State University, Friday at 4 p.m., while Coastal Carolina travels to High Point University on Saturday for a 6 p.m. match.