FLORENCE, SC -  Sophomore forward Kirby Stenard scored three goals to lift Francis Marion University past Appalachian State University 3-1, Saturday afternoon (Aug. 25) in a women’s college exhibition soccer match.

Francis Marion will open its regular-season schedule on Friday (7 p.m.) at Winthrop University, while Appalachian State will play a second exhibition match at Campbell University on Aug. 27 before opening its 2007 campaign at Tennessee Tech, also on Friday.

Stenard, FMU’s leading scorer in 2006 as a freshman, entered the game in the 28th minute and quickly gave the Patriots a 1-0 advantage on a 12-yard chip shot at 30:53. Freshman Nina Connell assisted on the goal. Stenard’s second tally came 15 seconds before halftime when Angela Salem played a ball through and the 5-2 forward scored from 10 yards out.

ASU narrowed the margin to 2-1 when Caroline Lowe scored on a 20-yard shot following a pass from Lindsay Moore at 55:48. Stenard restored the two-goal margin when she found the back of the net from 19 yards out in the 85th minute. Kiersten Nedervelt assisted on the final goal.

In the 87th minute, ASU nearly scored again, but Casey Cleary’s point-blank shot from five yards out bounced off the crossbar.

Appalachian State led in shots 11-10 and corner kicks 5-2. FMU senior goalkeeper Jacque Sutphin recorded four saves, while Emma White played the first half for ASU, registering three saves, and Caroline Clarke played the final 45 minutes, recording one save.