FLORENCE, SC – Freshman back Justin Kibler and sophomore midfielder Kyle Clinton both scored on headers in the second half and Francis Marion University went on to claim a 2-1 victory over Catawba College, Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 23) in non-conference men’s soccer action.

Playing for the final time at home in 2007, Francis Marion (5-11-0) snapped a three-game skid, while Catawba (6-11-0) falls for the seventh time in eight matches.

A scoreless first half saw each squad take five shots.

FMU nearly went ahead in the 54th minute, but Catawba goalkeeper Ross Willard pushed a hard shot from the right side by Patriot freshman Ivan Juric over the crossbar. Francis Marion did grab a 1-0 lead at 54:10 on the ensuing corner kick. Senior Biagio Galle’s corner kick was headed in by Kibler just inside the right (back) post. It was the Pickerington, Ohio, native’s first career goal.

The margin doubled to 2-0 in the 60th minute when the 6-2 Clinton headed in a cross by Joey Pineo. It was Clinton’s fifth tally of the year.

Catawba quickly trimmed the margin back to one goal at 2-1 in the 62nd minute. Francis Marion failed to adequately clear a corner kick by Ryan Villiard and Indian senior Sam Ketner corralled the loose ball and scored on an 18-yard blast for his third goal of 2007.

Despite possessing the ball in the Patriot defensive half many times, Catawba did not register a shot in the final 21:33.

Patriot freshman goalkeeper Clark Richeson made two saves while recording his first career win. Willard made three stops over the final 45 minutes. Sophomore Tyler Held occupied the goal during the first half and compiled two saves for Catawba. FMU outshot the Indians 12-11, but Catawba held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.

FMU concludes its regular season on Saturday at 13th-ranked Clayton State University for a 7 p.m. match. Catawba also ends its regular season slate on Saturday with a 2 p.m. match at Brevard College.