MISENHEIMER, NC -  Matthew Harris scored the winning goal with 6:02 remaining as Pfeiffer University edged Francis Marion University 2-1, Sunday afternoon (Sept. 2) in men’s non-conference soccer action.

FMU drops to 1-3-0, while Pfeiffer (4-1-0) wins its fourth consecutive match.

Francis Marion opened the match attacking and scored on a Juan Rivas goal in the sixth minute to take a 1-0 lead.  It was the freshman’s fourth score of the year.

In the 25th minute, Pfeiffer’s Wilver Menacho took the ball from 45 yards out on the left and dribbled toward the goal. At about 25 yards out, he drilled a shot into the right side netting to even the match at 1-1. The game settled into a defensive battle and neither team had a good scoring chance the rest of the half. 

Pfeiffer controlled play most of the second half.   Cash Knight hit the crossbar in the 55th minute and Harris had a great chance in the 69th minute, but FMU goalkeeper Jeremy Crooks made a great kick save to keep the game tied.

In the 84th minute, Menacho sent a long pass to a breaking Harris who drilled a shot into the top of the goal from 18 yards out to give Pfeiffer a 2-1 lead.  Francis Marion was unable to break through the Pfeiffer defense in the final few minutes for a tying goal.

Crooks finished the match with five saves as the Falcons outshot FMU 12-5. Both teams were awarded five corner kicks.

The Patriots play at Barton College on Wednesday at 7 p.m., while Pfeiffer travels to Limestone College on Saturday for a 4 p.m. contest.