Francis Marion men beat North Georgia

FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion(m) University junior midfielder Julian Ramjohn scored in the 34th minute and junior goalkeeper Clark Richeson extended his scoreless streak to nearly 400 minutes as Francis Marion University blanked visiting North Georgia College & State University 1-0, Saturday afternoon (Oct. 17) in Peach Belt Conference men’s soccer action.

Francis Marion ups its overall mark to 8-3-3, improves to 3-1-2 in the PBC, and is 9-1-1 in its last 11 home contests.  North Georgia drops to 5-6-0 and 1-3-0.
 
Prior to the Senior Day match, FMU honored its four seniors: goalkeeper Jeremy Crooks, midfielders Alden Brooks and Kyle Clinton, and defender Jared Beauchamp.
 
Richeson recorded five saves en route to his sixth shutout of the year and 12th of his three-year career.  His scoreless streak in goal now stands at 387:18, and the team’s scoreless streak surpassed 400 minutes.
 
After a quick shot by North Georgia’s Chris Griffith that was stopped by Richeson in the opening minute, Francis Marion controlled play for the next 30 minutes.  The Patriots tallied four shots and two corner kicks in the opening 8:23.
 
Ramjohn’s goal, his first of 2009, began when Clinton won the ball in the midfield and fed it to Justin Kibler on the right side.  Kibler quickly crossed the ball to Ramjohn in the middle of the box and his 15-yard shot was true at the 33:09 mark.
 
The Saints’ Calvin Cook hit a blast from 28 yards out that went just over the crossbar in the 31st minute.  North Georgia’s best opportunity to tie the score in the second stanza came in the 88th minute when Griffith received the ball in the middle of the box 10 yards out, but his one-touch chip shot was deflected by Richeson.  The Saints were unable to mount a serious threat on the ensuing corner kick.
 
Francis Marion outshot the Saints 10-8 and led 8-3 in corner kicks.
 
North Georgia sophomore goalkeeper Rade Tanaskovic registered three saves.
 
Francis Marion will play host to USC Aiken on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in its annual Passionately Pink for the Cure match.  North Georgia entertains Lander University on Monday at 4 p.m.