FLORENCE, S.C. – The Francis Marion University women’s soccer team will open its 2006 home schedule on Wednesday when the Patriots play host to Charleston Southern University at 4 p.m.

FMU is 1-3 and coming off a 10-day break since defeating Mount Saint Mary’s University 2-1. CSU is 3-1. This will be the first meeting between the two programs.

Wednesday’s match will be the first of 10 FMU Student-Athlete Sea of Red Days scheduled for this academic year. This new initiative is designed to encourage all Patriot student-athletes to attend a designated contest of each sport and cheer on that squad.

Freshman midfielder Kirby Stenard leads the Patriots in scoring with a pair of goals and one assist.

Francis Marion is 10-0-1 all-time in home openers.

Following Wednesday’s match, Francis Marion will play in the adidas Soccer Classic at The Citadel in Charleston this weekend. FMU will face Youngstown State University on Friday at 6 p.m. and The Citadel on Saturday at 3 p.m.