CHARLESTON, SC - UNC Wilmington scored three goals in a five-minute span early in the second half and went on to edge Francis Marion University 5-3, Friday evening (Sept. 14) in game one of the College of Charleston Cougar Women's Soccer Classic at Patriots Point Field in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

The Patriots drop to 1-2-1 and will face the host school on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Francis Marion and UNCW both played a tough defensive first half resulting in a combined total of 17 fouls. At the end of the first 45 minutes, the score was tied at one goal a piece. 

The Patriots struck first at 21:07 when freshman forward Kirby Stenard scored her second goal of the season from five yards out from an assist by senior Ashley Fortune.  Tandy Banks responded for the Seahawks in the 37th minute with an assist from Katie MacDonald, with her first tally of the season. 

The game was dominated by offense in the second half.  The Seahawks ended the match with a 15-7 advantage in shots.  Kelly Renkin added two more goals for the Seahawks (51:15, 55:31), with assist from Maddy Bullington.  Her second goal was unassisted. 

Bullington added a goal of her own in the 53rd minute off a pass from Nicole Panek. 

The Patriots fought back when Angela Salem netted her second goal of the year to bring the score to 4-2 at 55:41.  In the 60th minute, FMU senior Jody Rhoderick took a pass from Salem and put in the lower right corner of the UNCW goal from seven yards out to bring the Patriots to within one goal at 4-3. 

The final goal of the game came from Banks in the 75th minute to account for the 5-3 margin.

Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Brandenburg made her first career start in goal for FMU.

Francis Marion Univ. vs UNC Wilmington (Sep 14, 2007 at Mt. Pleasant, S.C.)